KUALA LUMPUR -- Asia will host a World Golf Championships-World Cup qualifier at Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor, Malaysia from Sept. 30-Oct. 3 with a minimum of three spots for the tournament in Spain up for grabs.

The Asian Tour is staging the four-day qualifier on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours, organisers of the World Cup which will be held in Seville in November.

The qualifier in Malaysia is open to Asian, European and African nations. Two-man teams will converge at Palm Resort to chase the opportunity to take on some of the world's best players in the World Cup and also challenge for a slice of the $4 million prize money on offer in Spain.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to organize the World Cup qualifier in Palm Resort, Malaysia this year," said Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin. "For all sportsmen, it is a major career highlight to represent their country in a team competition and I'm sure Asian golfers will take this opportunity to turn out under their national flag and try and earn the right to feature in the World Cup."

Last year, Myanmar, Hong Kong, India and Thailand joined Korea in the World Cup when it was played at Kiawah Island in the United States.

Martin added that the World Cup was another great platform on which the Asian Tour players could showcase their talent. This year, Asian Tour stalwarts such as Zhang Lian-wei, Jyoti Randhawa and Thongchai Jaidee have played in several international events which Martin believes has reinforced the Asian Tour's rise in playing standards.

The format for the qualifier is the same as the World Cup, with a Four-ball format played on the first and third days and Foursomes (or alternate shot) played on the second and final days.

"The World Cup Qualifier is another great opportunity for Palm Resort to stage an international standard professional tournament and showcase our golf resort. We are expecting some top Asian names to feature in the qualifier which will be a great treat for golf fans," said Tim Hallett, managing director of Palm Resort.

The leading 18 players from different countries from the Official World Golf Ranking, published on Sept. 20 will gain automatic entries into the World Cup. South America will also host a qualifier.

If Asia maintains its tradition of attracting the bigger number of teams to the qualifier at Palm Resort, the region may be given a fourth qualifying entry to the World Cup.

A total of 24 teams will tee up in the World Cup in Seville.