March 19, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1429

SINGAPORE, March 18: Asia’s peak golf organization has accused the PGA of Australia of attempting to “invade Asia” and is appealing to the international federation to stop a proposed rival tour.

The PGA of Australia announced last week it had an agreement with the Japan Golf Tour Organization and national associations in China and South Korea to create a new Asia-Pacific tour from next January.

An initial 20 tournaments each offering minimum prize money of US$1.5 million (euro960,000) was proposed.

The Asian Tour immediately reacted by saying it would not endorse the new tour and on Tuesday said it was making a formal request to the International Federation of PGA Tours to discuss “recent developments initiated by the PGA of Australia.”

“The International Federation represents the six major international tours and among its charters is for the tours to promote close cooperation,” Asian Tour chairman Kyi Hla Han said. “The Asian Tour views the PGA of Australia’s recent overtures into Asia as a clear violation of the Federation’s ideals.

“We also strongly oppose its blatant action of entering the Asian market without the official involvement of the Asian Tour. The PGA of Australia has stepped out its boundaries.”

PGA of Australia tour commissioner Ben Sellenger on Monday said the proposed “One Asia” tour doesn’t necessarily need the Asian Tour’s approval or support to go ahead.

Han said he was “extremely disappointed” with that stance.

“This is clearly an ignorant attempt to disregard the role of the Asian Tour,” Han said.—AP