The Asian Tour will feature a record number of events in 2009 with more prize money offered than ever before as the game continues to grow in stature.

Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said Tuesday that three tournaments will make their debuts next year, including two new events in Thailand and an historic maiden tournament in Europe -- the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

In addition, two other tournaments, including the Thailand Open, return to the calendar

The cash-rich Barclays Singapore Open, HSBC Champions and UBS Hong Kong Open, which offer a combined 12.5 million US dollars, once again bolster the back-end of the year prior to the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia.

Han unveiled a 28-event schedule, including nine events co-sanctioned with the European Tour, adding that he was finalising five other tournaments which would be announced in due course.

Once concluded, the Asian Tour should hit an unprecedented 33 tournaments, surpassing this season`s high of 30 when 39 million dollars were up for grabs.

`From a broad view, the 2009 Asian Tour schedule will represent the finest collection of the best tournaments across Asia, spanning from India all the way to Australia,` said Han.

`We are also looking forward to the Omega European Masters in Switzerland which will be a ground-breaking event as it will be the first European event to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.`

The boost to regional golf comes despite the global financial downturn, with sponsors continuing to pump money into the game, which Han said reflected the Asian Tour`s growth.

`We fully appreciate corporate Asia`s continuous support towards professional golf during these challenging times,` he said.

`It has reinforced the confidence and belief that the framework within the Asian Tour is solid and vibrant as our schedule has grown with each passing year since our inauguration as a players` organisation in 2004.`

From an initial 22 events with 12 million dollars in prize money four years ago, the Asian Tour has grown by leaps and bounds.

The new season will kick off in January with the Royal Trophy, which pits Asia against Europe in a Ryder Cup-style shoot-out in Bangkok.

Thailand will stage four tournaments in 2009, including the Thailand Open, last played in 2005, and the Black Mountain Masters which will make its debut in March.

India hosts the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters, SAIL Open and Hero Honda Indian Open as golf there grows in popularity, while Malaysia also stages three events, including the Johor Open which doubles its prize fund to one million dollars.

2009 schedule

Jan 9-11: The Royal Trophy, Bangkok

Jan 22-25: Asian Tour International, course TBA

Feb 5-8: Emaar MGF Indian Masters, Delhi

Feb 12-15: Maybank Malaysian Open, course TBA

Feb 19-22: Johnnie Walker Classic, Perth

Feb 26-Mar 1: Indonesia Open, Bali

Mar 5-8: Thailand Open, course TBA

Mar 19-22: Sail Open, Noida, India

Mar 26-29: Black Mountain Masters, Hua Hin, Thailand

Mar 31-Apr 1: The Open Championship final qualifying, Singapore

Apr 16-19: Volvo China Open, Beijing

Apr 23-26: Ballantine`s Championship, Jeju island, Korea

Apr 30-May 3: Thailand event TBA

May 7-10: Pine Valley Beijing Open

May 14-17: GS Caltex Maekyung Open, Seoul

May 21-24: SK Telecom Open, Seoul

July 23-26: Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational, Jakarta

July 30-Aug 2: Selangor Masters, Kuala Lumpur

Aug 6-9: Brunei Open, Bandar Seri Begawan

Aug 20-23: Mercuries Taiwan Masters, Taipei

Sept 3-6: Omega European Masters, Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

Oct 1-4: Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open

Oct 8-11: Hero Honda Indian Open, Delhi

Oct 15-18: Midea China Classic, Guangzhou

Oct 22-25: Iskandar Johor Open, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Oct 29-Nov 1: Barclays Singapore Open

Nov 5-8: HSBC Champions, Shanghai

Nov 5-8: Cambodian Open, Siem Reap

Nov 12-15: UBS Hong Kong Open

Nov 26-29: Omega Mission Hills World Cup, Shenzhen

Dec 10-13: Volvo Masters of Asia, Bangkok