With just five events remaining on the 2008 European Challenge Tour Schedule, the Kazakhstan Open, the richest Challenge Tour event in history, will virtually guarantee the champion a place on the 2009 European Tour.

For this very reason the Kazakhstan Open remains the pivotal tournament on the European Challenge Tour and the 132 eligible players will all be focusing their minds and fine tuning their games in the hope of being crowned Kazakhstan Open champion.

However, a stern test awaits them at the 7319 yard Nurtau course. Further improvements have been made to the course particularly on the front nine and new tees and bunkers are certain to further test the players and produce a worthy winner come Sunday evening.

Off the course the Kazakhstan Open continues to grow, cementing its position as the premier and richest event on the Challenge Tour. This year the prize money has been raised a further ¤100,000 to ¤430,000, ensuring the Kazakhstan Open remains the most coveted event on the Challenge Tour.

The first prize of ¤63,800 will ensure whoever is lucky enough to win at the Nurtau Golf Club can move into the top 20 of the Challenge Tour Rankings. If any of the players already in the upper echelons secures the top prize, they will put themselves in a wonderful position to finish the year as Challenge Tour Number One.

Let battle commence!