Asian Tour Chief Contradicts O’Grady

There is tension again between the Asian Tour and European Tour. Recently, Asian Tour officials were reported to have criticised the European Tour for paying appearance money to so-called star golfers to play in the BMW Asian Open.

Though Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said he was misquoted, the reports succeeded in implanting the first public seeds of discord between the two tours. Now, European Tour executive director George O’Grady has sparked a fresh row with his claim that the Europeans are in the final stages of refining the idea of amalgamating with other tours.

However, according to a PA report, the Asian Tour has yet to hear about these developments. Han was quoted as saying:

“We have not been informed or approached by the European Tour on its proposed idea. The Asian Tour has an existing co-sanction programme with the European Tour. If new proposals are put forward to the Asian Tour, it will be evaluated based on its benefit to the Asian Tour.”

There are several tournaments in Asia that are co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, though Asian officials say the joint sanctioning programme is only supported in order to enhance opportunities for regional golfers.

Indeed, many Asian golfers such as China’s Zhang Lian-wei, Indian Jeev Milkha Singh and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, have managed to play on the European Tour because of their success in Asian-based co-sanctioned events.

However, with the Asian Tour strengthening every year and European events seemingly threatened by the expansion of money-spinning tournaments on the United States PGA Tour, Asia clearly believes that it has a stronger say in how far they accommodate foreign tours.


One Response to “Asian Tour Chief Contradicts O’Grady”

  1. Reg Shanhan says:

    :grin::
    Happy Christmas to you and all your Staff and Family.

    I look forward to your Emails in the Year 09

    Best Regards

    Reg Shanhan

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