Partnership with CGA will create minimum of four new tournaments

After nine years of playing on the fringe, the Asian Tour is returning to China in a big way.

The China Golf Association (CGA) and the Asian Tour have struck a strategic partnership aimed at growing the game through the creation of new tournaments co-sanctioned by both organizations.

Largely shut out of China since 2008, the Asian Tour, which organizes dozens of tournaments around the region, will stage up to four new events in the country this season. Under the new collaboration, earnings will count towards both the Asian Tour and China Tour orders of merit.

China Tour players will be eligible for associate membership on the Asian Tour, with the top five non-exempt players from the China Tour order of merit receiving exemptions into the final stage of the Asian Tour qualifying school in 2018.

Winners of the new co-sanctioned tournaments will also earn exemption on the Asian Tour, with purses for the new events ranging from $300,000 to $500,000.

Wang Liwei, vice-president of China Golf Association said: "On behalf of the CGA, we are delighted to announce our new partnership with the Asian Tour. The last time the CGA worked with the Asian Tour was back in 2008. We welcome the Asian Tour back to China and look forward to co-sanctioning a number of tournaments in order to further develop the game.

"As the governing body for golf in China, the CGA continues to place utmost importance towards the development of the sport in our country. We are optimistic our partnership with the Asian Tour will generate greater interest among fans and sponsors and also provide Chinese professional golfers with pathways onto the international stage."

Asian Tour CEO Josh Burack is equally enthused.

"We are honored to forge a strategic partnership with the CGA, which is truly a significant development for pro golf in Asia," Burack said.

"The CGA has been fantastic in sharing their vision to grow the game in China, which is aligned to our own mission. Restarting cooperation is a game-changer for the Asian Tour and the CGA as the creation of new tournaments will greatly enhance opportunities for our players and for the many talented golfers coming out of China.

"With this partnership, we are confident Chinese golfers will have every opportunity to compete and excel at the highest level through our tournaments featuring Official World Golf Ranking points in China and across the region."

As a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, the Asian Tour has been a sanctioning partner of the annual WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai - the only World Golf Championships event staged in Asia. Until now, it was also the nation's only event sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

The Asian Tour previously co-sanctioned and staged tournaments in China with the CGA from 1995 until 2008. During that period a pioneer group of Chinese pros emerged, led by Zhang Lianwei, who won five tournaments.

"I'm delighted the China Golf Association has entered into this strategic partnership with the Asian Tour," said Zhang, who is now a committee member of the CGA and a board member of the Asian Tour.

"I started my career on the Asian Tour and it has given me lots of opportunities to grow and improve as a player. I would like to give special thanks to Mr Wang Liwei and the China Golf Association for their support towards the Asian Tour. I'm confident this partnership will grow from strength to strength which will ultimately go a long way towards promoting the development of golf in China."

yangxinwei@chinadaily.com.cn