KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to qualify for the World Tour Finals (WTF), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have decided to play in an additional tournament to boost their chances of reaching the season finale in December.
The former world champions will play in the Super 300 Korea Masters from Nov 5-10, in addition to the Super 500 Kumamoto Masters (Nov 12-17) and the Super 750 China Masters (Nov 19-24).
National doubles coach Tan Bin Shen believes the additional event will give the world No. 6 a stronger chance at qualification after their quarter-final exit at the Super 750 Denmark Open last week.
Playing in a Super 300 is unusual for a top-eight pairing.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, the top seeds, are the favourites.
"We're not putting too much hope on the WTF, but we'll give it our all," said Aaron. "We still have three tournaments ahead and are focusing on finishing those and improving our results."
Aaron touched on their slim chances after he and Wooi Yik each received RM100,000 under the National Incentive Scheme (Shakam) on Friday for their bronze medal in the Paris Olympics in August.
The Korea Masters have drawn a competitive field, including Indonesia's world No. 5 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto and China's up-and-coming duo Chen Bo Yang-Liu Ying, who defeated Aaron-Wooi Yik in Denmark.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are No. 12 in the World Tour rankings.
Only the top seven pairs, plus Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin of Taiwan, will make it to the WTF in Hangzhou.
For the record, only the top two pairs from each country will qualify for the WTF.
Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin have virtually sealed their WTF spot at No. 3, while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, ranked seventh, are also well positioned to take the country's second berth.
The WTF offers a US$2.5 million (RM10.85 million) prize purse, with the men's doubles champions set to receive US$210,000 (RM912,000) in Hangzhou.