The tournament was formerly known as the Ballantine's Championship but the firm withdrew its sponsorship last year and it is believed that a lack of corporate sponsors led to the decision to relocate to Singapore, although promoter Parallel Media Group has said it plans to return to South Korea next year where the event has been staged since 2008.

The Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon has been home to The Championship since 2011 and this year's move will mark a first European Tour and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event in Singapore since the 2012 Singapore Open on Sentosa Island.

Laguna National has previously played host to the co-sanctioned Singapore Masters and has been featured regularly among the top ranked courses in the world by Golf Digest International and Asian Golf Monthly.

"We are delighted to announce that The Championship will be played at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club in Singapore, a venue we have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with in the past and one that I know our members will enjoy returning to," said Keith Waters, chief operating officer and director of international policy for The European Tour.

"It shows the strength of our relationship with Laguna National that they have been able to help us out at relatively short notice and we would therefore like to put on record our thanks to owner Peter Kwee and all his staff for their assistance."

Australian Peter Rumford won the Ballantine's Championship at Blackstone last year ©AFP/Getty Images



A field of 156 players from Europe, Asia, South Korea and Singapore are set to compete for a $1.5 million (£892,000/€1.08 million) prize fund at Laguna National with The Championships due to take place from May 1 to 4.

Last year, Australian Brett Rumford won a dramatic three-way play-off against compatriot Marcus Fraser and Scotland's Peter Whiteford to claim the title at Blackstone.

Commenting on today's announcement, chairman of the Asian Tour, Kyi Hla Han said: "It is wonderful news that The Championship will now be staged at Laguna National.

"Singapore golf fans will enjoy having a major tournament back in the country and we look forward to co-sanctioning it with The European Tour.

"It will be fantastic for the finest players from both Tours to compete alongside Singapore's best golfers once again."

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