The Asian Tour’s 2008 season kicks off this week with a promise to be bigger, better and bolder.

All eyes will be on the inaugural US$2.5 million EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters beginning on Thursday where the first event of the season pits the region’s stars against an international line-up that includes three-time Major winner Ernie Els.

The Indian jaunt will mark the start of a projected record year with over 30 tournaments and prize money in excess of US$30 million, said Asian Tour’s Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han.

“Our 2008 season promises to be our biggest ever yet. Right now, we have a confirmed line-up of 27 tournaments but we’re poised to hit 30 events for the first time in Asian Tour history. It’s truly an exciting period as sponsors are putting in a lot more into the game and our players keep getting better,” said Han.

“The game is growing across Asia and we’ll welcome no fewer than six new tournaments this year. We will again visit exciting and new golfing destinations such as Vietnam and Cambodia which holds tremendous promise as they are untapped markets with a vast potential to grow.”

While new events keep mushrooming across Asia, Han said that another boon is the fact that sponsors are pouring more support into existing events. No fewer than nine established tournaments have raised prize money in 2008, with the Barclays Singapore Open leading the way with a lucrative US$5 million on offer.

“It will be an unprecedented year as many tournaments will offer record prize funds. This is a clear indication that the game has a solid foundation in Asia and we will strive and continue to grow the game in this region,” he said.

Han believes that rising standards of play has also been pivotal towards the game’s expansion. “Through numerous playing opportunities, I expect Asian Tour stars to excel in the new season and chase hard for glory,” said Han.

“I believe the proven winners from last season will stamp their class once more but in saying this, there are many emerging players who are waiting anxiously on the horizon to break through for their first win. It will be very exciting,” he added.

Han tipped the likes of India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia, Gerald Rosales of the Philippines, Malaysia’s Iain Steel and Ben Leong and international stalwarts such as Scott Hend and Scott Barr of Australia to secure their maiden titles in 2008.

He added that the growth of golf in India was also creating a new wave of excitement. Apart from the season-opening Indian Masters, India will host another new tournament, the SAIL Open Golf Championship at Jaypee Greens and Johnnie Walker Classic later in February.

“It is fantastic to see golf in India booming the way that it is now. To have three major international events in February on the Asian Tour Schedule is certainly a strong signal that the game in the sub-continent has come of age.

“Corporate India sees the value of golf sponsorship, thanks to the success of players like Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Gaurav Ghei, Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Randhawa. In many ways, this will also influence young Indian children and parents to commit to the game,” said Han.

He also expects the Asian stars to stamp their class on the international stage. China’s Liang Wen-chong, last year’s Order of Merit champion, India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, the 2006 number one, and Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng were invited to the US Masters recently which Han said was a welcome boost to the region.

“It was a wonderful recognition for our players. We are looking forward to the Masters in April when Liang Wen-chong, Jeev Milkha Singh, Prayad Marksaeng take on the world’s best golfers in Augusta National.

“Several of our players will also compete in the British Open in July as well as in the World Golf Championships events. I’m fully optimistic they will make their presence felt and show the standard of Asian golf has risen that they are capable of challenging the world’s best players,” said Han.

February 4, 2008

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