Flagship Asian events to swap dates

Organisers of the Barclays Singapore Open have revealed the Asian Tour's flagship tournament will swap dates with the HSBC Champions event later this year.

Singapore Open organising committee chairman Bob Tan announced the change of dates for Asia's two most lucrative golf events in a statement released on Monday.

"The 2008 Barclays Singapore Open will now be held from Thursday November 13 to Sunday November 16, 2008. This is one week later than previously announced," the statement read.

"The move has been agreed in order to facilitate a swap in dates with the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai which will now take place from November 6-9, 2008."

No reasons were given for the change in dates.

The Singapore Open, which will be played at the Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course, is set to boost its purse to US$5m (€3.25m) this year, bringing it on par with the HSBC Champions, which takes place at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai.