The Asian Tour has lost its season-ending Masters of Asia event after sponsor Volvo pulled out, blaming confusion surrounding golf in the region and recent unrest in host country Thailand.
The tournament, first played in 2002, was not the richest on the Asian Tour but was seen as its premier event for Official World Golf Ranking purposes, with a minimum winner’s point allocation set at 20.
Singaporean Lan Chih Bing was the defending champion.
Its demise is another blow to a Tour fighting the emergence of the rival OneAsia Tour, which has taken over four events it used to run.
These include the China Open, an event sponsored by Volvo.
Per Ericsson, president of Volvo Event Management, said the company had decided not to take up its contractual option to extend its Masters of Asia sponsorship for another year.
”There is no single issue that has led us to take this decision — more so a combination of factors,” he said.
”The current economic climate, the unstable situation surrounding Asian golf at present and recent unrest in Thailand all played a part.”
He added though that Volvo ”remains open to opportunities in Asia in the future”.
Asian Tour executive chairperson Kyi Hla Han said he looked forward to working with Volvo again.
”The Asian Tour thanks Volvo for its long-term support to golf in Asia and looks forward to further opportunities to collaborate,” he said.
”Volvo’s commitment to and reputation within golf is unsurpassed and its support has been crucial to the development of Asian golf.”
As well as the China Open, Volvo hosts the World Match Play Championship, to be held in Spain in October, and the Masters Amateur.
In addition to the four events OneAsia has taken over, the Asian Tour has also lost the Jaidee Invitational in Thailand this year after the sponsor, Raimon Land, pulled out.
OneAsia, formed this year by the China Golf Association, Korea Professional Golf Tour, Korea Golf Association and the PGA Tour of Australia, aims to create a new force in world golf.
The Asian Tour and the Japan Tour have opted not to be part, accusing OneAsia of unethical behaviour. — Sapa-AFP