Golf-Asian golf welcomes Singapore expansion

* Event expanded to accommodate more Asian players

* Bumper prize pot boosted to $6 million

By Ossian Shine

SINGAPORE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Asian golf bodies have welcomed the $6 million Singapore Open's move to expand its field and allow more golfers from the region a tilt at glory.

The tournament, Asian richest national Open, will boast an increased field of 204 for the Nov. 11-14 event, which will this year be headed by Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington and Adam Scott.

Sponsors Barclays have ramped the prize money up by $1 million as organisers announced that 32 positions would be allocated to players from local tours.

"Being one of the bigger tournaments in the Asia-Pacific region, I think it's great that it's opened up and become more representative of all of the different golfing organisations within the region," Max Garske, CEO of the PGA Tour of Australasia told Reuters on Thursday.

"I think it's a very positive move and we're delighted that it gives some of our players a chance to go and play there."

The event will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and The European Tour.

The expanded field will compete on both the Serapong and Tanjong courses on the resort island of Sentosa.

Players will play both courses for the first two days and after the cut on the Serapong course only.

The top 75 players from both the Asian and European tours will make up the bulk of the field.

The 32 position earmarked for local tours will go to players from the Mercedes-Benz Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the China Golf Association Tour, the Korean Golf Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit winner Namchok Tantipokhakul is now guaranteed a spot in Singapore.

"I am in shock! Last year was a great season for me... but this is an unexpected surprise," the Thai said in a statement.

"I have played in the qualifying rounds for the Barclays Singapore Open before and just missed making it through. Now I don't have to worry about trying to qualify. I can't wait for the week to come." (Editing by John O'Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)