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A strong turnout of 273 players will compete in this week's 2010 Asian Tour Qualifying School Stage One, Week Two starting on Wednesday. The top-20 percent finishers and ties at the three venues - the Majestic Creek Golf Resort (118) in Hua Hin, Kaeng Krachan Country Club and Resort (83) in Hua Hin and Rayong Country Club (72) near Pattaya - will qualify for the all important Final Stage next week.

With 70 players having already competed in Week One last month, and another 102 players already exempted into the Final Stage, the Qualifying School, presented by the Sports Authority of Thailand, will tally at 445 players.

Japan makes up the highest number of participants this week with 48 hopefuls, followed by Korea (37), United States (36), England (32), Australia (30), Chinese Taipei (18) and Thailand (15).

Six China golfers are amongst the 102 players exempted into the Final Stage, where the top-40 finishers will earn playing rights in the new 2010 season, which will include 28 tournaments with total prize fund of US$39 million. The Final Stage will be staged at Palm Hills and Springfield Royal Country Club, Hua Hin from January 13 to 16.

Players who compete in the Qualifying School will also earn playing categories in the newly launched Asian Development Tour where a minimum of six tournaments will be held in 2010, starting with the Air Bagan Myanmar Masters presented by IBTC later this month.

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