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Asian Tour statment on the proposed 'OneAsia' Tour

In view of recent news articles, the Asian Tour would like to categorically state that we will not support or be involved in the formation of a new regional Tour in Asia.

In a meeting held in Beijing on May 10 which was initiated by the Asian Tour and attended by representatives from the Australasian Tour, Japan Golf Tour Organisation, China Golf Association, Professional Golf Tour of India, Korean Golf Association and Korean PGA, the Asian Tour proposed that between four to six World Golf Championship-styled events be staged across the region.

This proposed series would take the name of the Asia Pacific Golf Championship where the best players from Asia, Japan and Australia would compete for prize money which will be included in the respective Tours’ Order of Merit/Money List rankings.

The Japan Golf Tour has also stated that it recognises the Asian Tour as the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia outside of Japan and it will not sanction any events in Asia without the involvement of the Asian Tour.

During another meeting held at Royal Birkdale during the British Open in July, the Asian Tour once again stated that we would not accept the formation of a new Tour and would agree on the introduction of a series of events.

The Australasian Tour, which has initiated the formation of the OneAsia Tour, has subsequently held meetings in Asia without inviting the Asian Tour to these meetings, which we view as going against the spirit of cooperation and an attempt to ‘invade’ Asia.

The Asian Tour has been the official sanctioning body for professional golf tournaments in Asia over the past 14 years and represents players from 26 nationalities and travels to 17 different countries to stage tournaments, which in 2008 held a record 30 events with an unprecedented US$39 million in total prize money.

Hence, we are appalled with the Australasian Tour’s attempt to create another tour in this region as the Asian Tour has already successfully achieved this objective with our well-documented growth over the past decade.