Asian Tour/OneAsia dilemma for journeyman pro

The strapping Australian is due to be married at the end of September and desperately needs to earn some money, to pay for the wedding, among other things.

He finished 93rd on last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit, meaning he lost his full playing rights for the circuit. At not inconsiderable expense, he returned to the region to try and regain his Tour card for 2009 via the Qualifying School. He missed the cut. As a result he's left to fight for scraps in the shape of starting spots in tournaments.

Indeed, by his own estimation, he might have been able to get one start on the circuit this year, or 'two at the most' - not many fewer than his home Australasian Tour can offer.

It was, therefore, not a difficult decision for Hall to take his place in the starting line-up for this week’s US$2.2 million Volvo China Open.

“I really didn’t have much to lose,” said Hall, after posting a blistering seven-under-par 65 that saw him soar up the leaderboard into a share of third place following the third round of the event that is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the fledgeling OneAsia Super Series that has provoked such controversy in the region.

The eloquence of Hall’s shot-making was matched by his sensible words regarding the on-going power struggle between the established Asian Tour and the new kids on the block, OneAsia – made up of the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.

“It’s such a sticky situation,” said Hall, who earned his spot in the field here by dint of his position on the Australian Tour Order of Merit. As a paid-up Asian Tour member, he has gone against the edict of the circuit’s TPC.

In the deeply divided circumstances, they decreed - understandably say many - that any Asian Tour member who played here without a release would face a US$5,000 fine and a 12-month ban.

Hall asked for a release, but one was not forthcoming. He does not feel any ill will. While sympathetic to the Asian Tour cause and not wishing to incur a penalty, because of his own situation, Hall felt compelled to tee up here.

Given that his next scheduled 72-hole is the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland in October, it’s just as well he made the cut in Beijing and is poised to collect a sizeable cheque.

“I couldn’t afford not to play here,” he said, acknowledging that he had less to lose than the three other Asian Tour members in the field.

“But if I had got my card at (Asian Tour) Qualifying School, I wouldn’t be here because there would have been too much to lose,” said Hall, who is aware of the penalties facing him, but will take it in his stride.

“There could be some consequence, but I will deal with that when, and if, it happens,” he said, explaining that he understood why the Asian Tour put its release policy into effect.

“I can see both sides (of the OneAsia argument). There’s a lot of bad blood. I don’t want anything bad for the Asian Tour. I would like to see one Tour. If only they could work out their differences and merge together it could be massive. But it doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon.”

April 18, 2009

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