Asian Tour must keep ‘independence’ in Europe tie-up, says boss
>> HONG KONG: The head of Asia’s biggest golf tour said a proposed alliance with Europe cannot compromise its “independence and identity”, apparently ruling out a full-blown merger.
Asian Tour commissioner Kyi Hla Han told AFP that his top priority was providing playing opportunities for his players — whether a tie-up went ahead or not.
“The players strongly believe the Asian Tour must retain its independence and identity,” Han said in an email interview.
“The primary focus for the Asian Tour is to always ensure we continue to provide our members [players] with playing and earning opportunities as well as a career pathway, with or without partnerships with the other international tours.”
The Asian and European bodies had previously talked about merging their playing memberships and business interests, creating a mega-tour with the potential to tilt golf’s global landscape.
But Han’s responses to AFP appear to rule out a full merger of the two tours, which former Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr had backed before resigning late last year.
Instead Han talked about a “strategic partnership” with the European Tour to “enhance opportunities” for Asian players and create “a pathway” to global success.
Kerr’s stance resulted in deep divisions among players, fearful of a takeover by their European counterparts.
In December, after Kerr’s departure, the old Asian Tour board of directors, including former European Tour chief Ken Schofield, was ousted.
Four prominent Asian businessmen were voted in as non-playing directors, three board player members were also removed and Han was promoted from chairman to “interim Tour Commissioner”.