Asian Tour Chief Hits Out at Europe over New Indian Tournament

They are no longer denying a rift. The Asian Tour and European Tour are officially at odds, at least from the Asian point of view.

Tension has existed between the two governing bodies over co-sanctioned events for a while and it finally boiled over this week after the Europeans announced a new event in India in what amounts to a snub to the Asian Tour.

The tournament is the Indian Masters in February 2008, promoted and organised by golf in DUBAI and sanctioned by the European Tour and the Indian Golf Union. The Asian Tour, which already organises events in India, has been left out.

The Asian Tour’s executive chairman Kyi Hla Han issued a statement in which he accuses the European Tour of aggression against other circuits.

“The Asian Tour is appalled with the European Tour’s plans to stage a tournament in India without the sanction of the Asian Tour next February. This move is clearly unethical and against the protocol that exists within the framework of the International Federation of PGA Tours, of which both the Tours are full members.”

“Despite media reports and quotes attributed to the European Tour, there has been no approach or communication to inform the Asian Tour about the event or its intentions.”

“This action reflects on the European Tour’s aggressive direction without any concern for the protocol of the International Federation of PGA Tours and highlights an invasive position on Asia.”

The $2.5 million event will be the richest tournament in India and will provide the European Tour with its 37th destination. George O’Grady, the European Tour’s chief executive shied away from mentioning the Asian Tour when praising the event, as he said on the tour’s website.

“The growth of the Indian economy has coincided with the emergence of golf as a major sport in the country. We are always keen to expand our tournament portfolio into new territories and we believe that the Indian Masters offers huge potential on that front.”

O’Grady also gave special mention to India’s leading golfers, including Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa. What he failed to mention is that their success is largely due to the support given to them by the Asian Tour early in their careers.


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