| A total of 18 two-man teams from Asia and Europe will battle for the three spots to play in the World Cup in Seville this November. The reward for the qualifiers will be a shot at $4 million in total prize money offered in Spain. |
| Gangjee is India's latest winner on the Asian Tour having taken the Volkswagen Masters while the experienced Johl has had a decent season this year. Johl has been making consistent cuts and a few top 10s, including eighth at the Philippine Open, third at Macau and tenth at the Kolon Korean Open recently. Like Myanmar's Han, who is also a board member on the Asian Tour, Johl will be keen to make a mark. |
| Johl has started off well. At the Indian Open, he was in sight of the top 10 positions till the final round of 81 derailed him. Thereafter, he has been consistent and is now looking for his first Asian Tour win. He came close when he was leading the field for almost three-and-a-half rounds at the Macau Open, where he shot a course record of eight-under 62 on the first day. But on the final nine on the last day, he slipped and ended third. |
| He also had top 10s in the Philippine Open, and more recently, was 10th at the Kolon Korean Open. |
| While Johl is still looking for his win, Gangjee hit paydirt at the Volkswagen Masters in China. Still in his rookie year on the Asian Tour, Gangjee's prospects did not look bright before arriving in Beijing. He had failed to secure his full Asian Tour card by finishing outside the top-40 of the Qualifying School in Malaysia. He entered the field for the Volkswagen Masters from his country exemption. |
| In China, Gangjee made use of his start and seized the lead in the second round before dropping into a five-way tie for the lead after the third day. Many expected the inexperienced Gangjee to fall by the wayside in the final round but he held his nerves like a veteran and finished tied with Korea's Mo Joong-kyung before prevailing in the first sudden-death play-off hole with a par. |
| The small-built Gangjee is a big hitter , reaching distances of 290 to 300 yards. He is also considered a good matchplayer, and last year, reached the finals in the SRF Open event, the only matchplay event for pros in India. |
| The field has a lot of top Asian stars. Leading the charge will be Myanmar's old hands, Kyi Hla Han and Soe Kyaw Naing. The 43-year-old Han, also the Asian Tour chairman, has played in four World Cups. Last year, Han qualified for the World Cup with Aung Win as they won the qualifying event in Asia with a five-shot victory at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club Inn in Singapore. |
| The other teams going through the Qualifiers were China and Hong Kong. While there were four spots last time, there will be only three this year. Both India and China have changed teams but Hong Kong will continue to be represented by Derek Fung and James Stewart. |
| Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit, at 47, became the oldest winner on the Asian Tour following his victory in his home Open. He will partner Thaworn Wiratchant, who recently won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Last year, the Thais had an inexperienced pair "" Jamnian Chitprasong and Pornsakon Tipsanit "" but now with the unorthodox Thaworn, a former winner on the Asia Tour, they have a great chance. |
| Both players are ranked in the top 10s of the Asian Tour Order of Merit list. The European challenge will come from Switzerland, which won the Qualifier in Asia two years ago. Marc Chatelain, who featured in the victorious side , will partner newcomer Ronnie Zimmermann. |
| The format of play at the Qualifier is the same as in the World Cup, with four-ball golf played on the first and third days and foursomes (or alternate shot) played on the second and final days. The World Cup will be held between November 18 and 21. |
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