American David Lipsky and India’s Anirban Lahiri will resume their battle for the prestigious Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown at the upcoming Venetian Macao Open from October 23 to 26 at the Macao Golf and Country Club.

The top-two ranked golfers on the region’s premier Tour have committed to play in the tournament, which will offer US$900,000 in prize money. Lahiri and Lipsky will be joined by many world-class stars including Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez in what is poised to be a thrilling swing on the Asian Tour.

Lipsky leads the Merit list with US$665,725, thanks largely to an impressive victory at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland last month while Lahiri trails in second place with US$342,689.

The Indian star, victorious at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in April, knows the magnitude of the challenge ahead and believes he needs to secure a second victory of the season to have a chance of becoming Asia’s new number one, a title won previously by compatriots Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh.

“I’m looking forward to both Hong Kong and Macao. I came close in Macao last year, played well in the last round (with a course-record tying 62 to finish second),” said Lahiri. With the Macao courses demanding precision and accuracy, he believes it could play into his hands as he chases Lipsky. “There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m playing well,” said the Indian.

Lipsky, whose triumph in Switzerland was his second on the Asian Tour, missed the cut in his only appearance in Macao in 2012 but believes he will be better positioned to challenge for title. “I played in Macao two years ago, which was the last event of a seven-week stretch. I’m looking forward to playing it when I’m a bit fresher,” he said.

Entry to the Venetian Macao Open is free to allow golf fans from around the region the chance to enjoy live, world class golf by Els and many leading Asian Tour players, in one of the best loved destinations for leisure and entertainment travel in Asia.

Since its inauguration in 1998, the tournament has been graced many of the best golfers around the world, including Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara. This year’s event boasts a total prize fund of US$900,000, an increase of 12.5% compared to last year.

Sponsors joining The Venetian Macao in support of the tournament include Rolex,Lamborghini, Air Macao, Blue Girl, Bonaqua, Twinwoods Wine, Srixon and Hong Kong Descente, which carries both the Le Coq Sportif Golf Collection and Munsingwear.

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit www.thevenetianmacauopen.com