Asian Tour "appalled" as European Tour announce Indian Masters

India is set to become the newest addition to the European Tour schedule, although the Asian Tour instantly reacted by saying they were "appalled" by the development.

With record prize money for the country, the inaugural £1.25million Indian Masters is to be played at a venue yet to be announced on February 7-10 next year, the event being promoted and organised by 'Golf in Dubai' and sanctioned by the European Tour and the Indian Golf Union.

General JJ Singh, President of the Indian Golf Union, said: "It is an historic moment for Indian Golf. The event is a result of the growing status of the game of golf in India, augmented by the Indian performances across the golfing globe."

Jeev Milkha Singh won twice on the European Tour last year, including the prestigious end-of-season Volvo Masters, then triumphed twice in Japan and in April became the first Indian to appear in the Masters at Augusta.

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said: 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.

"Thanks to Indian pioneers such as Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal both popular champions on the European Tour international schedule along with Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur, professional golf in India has taken a massive step forward over the past decade."

However, Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han issued a statement saying: "The Asian Tour is appalled with the European Tour's plans to stage a tournament in India without the sanction of the Asian Tour.

"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.

"Since the Asian Tour became a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, all new events that the European Tour has been involved within Asia have been co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.

"Over the past decade, the Asian Tour has provided a strong platform for the success of India's current crop of top players and the Asian Tour is fully committed to the growth of golf in India and Asia.

"The Asian Tour fully respects and co-operates with the Indian Golf Union and was happy to step in to ensure the continuance of one of Asia's longest standing national Opens, the Hero Honda Indian Open, in 2005 when support was required.

"The Asian Tour was also fully supportive of the formation of the Professional Golf Tour of India and is actively co-operating in the development of playing opportunities for Indian and the Asian Tour players.

"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."

June 11, 2007

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