Former BMW New Zealand Open winner Jake Higginbottom makes his PGA TOUR China debut this week leading an 18 strong Australian contingent into the first tournament of the year.

Now entering its third season, the PGA TOUR China has proved a fertile breeding ground for Australian Professionals with both Brett Drewitt and Bryden Macpherson graduating to the Web.com Tour courtesy of good performances in China.

With 12 events on the annual schedule and the chance to graduate to the secondary American Tour, China has proved a popular destination for Australian players and will be again this year.

Higginbottom will be among several Australians looking to use the Tour as a stepping stone to bigger things, among them third year player Ray Beaufils.

While he finished 31st on the Order of Merit last year, Beaufils was seventh on the money list in 2014 and missed earning status in America by just two spots.

With two years’ experience under his belt Beaufils will be hoping to go one better this year.

The full list of Australians teeing up this week is: Beaufils, Higginbottom, Rohan Blizard, Gavin Flint, Taylor Cooper, James Gibellini, Christopher Brown, Mitch Davis, Alex Hawley, David Lutterus, David McKenzie, Christopher Wood, Daniel Nisbet, Max McCardle, Peter Martin, Jake Younan, Michael Willis and Jake Stirling.

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What’s on this week / 11 – 17 May