The European Tour moves to China this week, as Austrian Markus Brier attempts to defend the Volvo China Open. If Brier  succeeds in defending his title he will become the first golfer in the tournament’s history to do so.

Standing in Brier’s way is Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, priced as tournament favourite by William Hill. McDowell comes into the 2008 Volvo China Open on the back of a victory in the Ballantines Championship in South Korea.

A number of Asia’s top golfers will also be making their way to the 2008 Volvo China Open, with India’s highest ranked player Jeev Milkha Singh and China’s Liang Wei-chong looking to prove that the Asian Tour is more than equal to the challenge put up by Europe’s finest golfers.

Also representing the Asian contingent at the 2008 Volvo China Open will be inaugural Indian Master’s winner SSP Chowraisa. Chowrasia sprained a neck muscle during training last week, but has since been declared fit to participate in the 2008 tournament.

The $2.2 million 2008 Volvo China Open is a regular season event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association. This year’s tournament will be held at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club.