Golf: Asian Tour chief lauds PGA boost

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Golf: Asian Tour chief lauds PGA boost

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If PGA Tour puts it on their ranking list I think that would be a positive for all parties, Han said

31 January,2012 12:27 pm

Asian Tour chief Kyi Hla Han has welcomed moves from the US PGA Tour to step up its presence in the region, as this years busy golf season gets under way.The boss of Asias main golf circuit, which returns this week in Yangon, said it would be positive for all parties if the PGA turns the limited-field CIMB Asia Pacific Classic in Kuala Lumpur into a ranking event.The PGA has lagged behind the European Tour, which last year co-sanctioned eight Asian events, in its forays into the region, but is now considering an Asian swing with CIMB and Shanghais HSBC Champions gaining full PGA status.Previously, CIMB has had just a 40-man field including 10 Asian players. But Han, the Asian Tours executive chairman, said it would make sense to turn it into a full event.If its not a ranking event it kind of defeats the purpose of having a sanctioned event, he said. It would probably be better to have an increased field, Han added.If the PGA Tour puts it on their ranking list I think that would be a positive for all parties.Han said the move would probably be discussed at the International Federation of PGA Tours meeting at the US Masters in April. If the US PGA makes it a full-field ranking event, he said the Asian Tour may do the same.Right now we havent been notified. It will probably be discussed at our meeting during the US Masters. It would only be a positive, he said.On Thursday, about 140 players will tee off in Yangon for the Myanmar Open, heralding the start of the 27-stop Asian Tour. The rival OneAsia series is due to begin in March.Asia has risen from golfing backwater to the sports prime growth area over the past decade, with a trickle of visiting stars becoming a flood thanks to world-standard purses and facilities, and lavish appearance fees.But with the advent of OneAsia in 2009, and last years introduction of mega-rich exhibition events in China, the Asian schedule suddenly looks congested.However, Han said sponsors were continuing to back Asian golf, despite global economic problems, and he maintained there was still room to expand.Weve got a lot more room to improve. Its very positive. Even with the challenges weve got, the good sign is the sponsors are willing to put their money into golf, he said.The Asian economy so far is stable. I think a lot of companies are still going to have to market their brand, and we work hard to get the right branding with our TV distribution and media distribution, Han added.Im sure they will put their money in with us and the big tours.Han reserved comment on recent changes at OneAsia, which has relocated its headquarters from Singapore to Hong Kong and lost its former chief executive Ben Sellenger, who announced his resignation in November.But he said the Asian Tour was unconcerned by the Chinese exhibition events, including the Shanghai Masters which last year offered a US$2 million first prize, the biggest in the sport.These exhibition matches dont really do anything for the development of Chinese golf or golf in Asia. I think the majority of our sponsors are very pleased with having sanctioned, full-field events, he said.The markets crowded but the positive thing is all the sponsors are willing to put their money into golf. I see it as a positive and a challenge to make our results stronger.Defending champion Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Thailands Thaworn Wiratchant are among the players in action at Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club, venue for the $300,000 Myanmar Open, from Thursday.