NEW DELHI: As a mark of solidarity with the Asian Tour, most Indian golfers playing on the Tour will boycott the upcoming $2.2 million Volvo China Open in Beijing, which is being co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the new OneAsia Super Series.
The OneAsia Tour has been recently formed by the China Golf Association, Korea Professional Golf Tour, Korea Golf Association and the PGA Tour of Australia but without taking the Asian Tour into confidence.
It begins its six-tournament schedule at the China event in April, which also includes the Pine Valley Beijing Open, another Asian Tour event.
For the Asian Tour, it is a sort of a ‘rebel' tour which is trying to invade its territory.
Digvijay Singh, who is in the Asian Tour Tournament Players Committee, confirmed the Tour's decision to fine and ban players who take part in the event without permission, although members who have European Tour cards will not be affected by the entry policy.
European Tour regulars Shiv Kapur and SSP Chowrasia confirmed their participation to TOI but Digvijay revealed that Jyoti Randhawa had withdrawn from the tournament.
"Jyoti is absolutely against this upstart tour so he won't be playing but the others have their compulsions. Even the Order of Merit leader, American Anthony Kang has pulled out," said Digvijay.
Tour veteran Gaurav Ghei elaborated the point, "For Shiv and SSP, who have been struggling with their games lately, it's a big event in terms of points and money while Jyoti has begun the European season on a strong note and he can afford to give it a miss."
Gaganjeet Bhullar, who is currently in Singapore to contend for a British Open slot, also swore his loyalty. "I totally agree with the decision because the way OneAsia is dealing with Asian Tour is not correct," complied the youngster, who could have furthered his ambitions in such big-money tournaments.
Digvijay stressed on the ‘unscrupulous' attitude of the new tour. "The Volvo China Open was formerly co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours so this is completely unjustified," he felt.
Ghei, who is a former Beijing Open champion, added, "The Asian Tour has been a part of our development, and occupies a special place in our hearts and we will stand by whatever the Tour decides."
Agencies reported that OneAsia was critical of the Asian Tour for "discriminating between members on the basis of European Tour membership and nationality (exempting players from China)."
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han had said in a statement that he had no option because of the manner in which OneAsia has attempted to ‘invade' the continent without consulting the Asian Tour.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians-to-give-China-Open-a-miss/articleshow/4336949.cms
The OneAsia Tour has been recently formed by the China Golf Association, Korea Professional Golf Tour, Korea Golf Association and the PGA Tour of Australia but without taking the Asian Tour into confidence.
It begins its six-tournament schedule at the China event in April, which also includes the Pine Valley Beijing Open, another Asian Tour event.
For the Asian Tour, it is a sort of a ‘rebel' tour which is trying to invade its territory.
Digvijay Singh, who is in the Asian Tour Tournament Players Committee, confirmed the Tour's decision to fine and ban players who take part in the event without permission, although members who have European Tour cards will not be affected by the entry policy.
European Tour regulars Shiv Kapur and SSP Chowrasia confirmed their participation to TOI but Digvijay revealed that Jyoti Randhawa had withdrawn from the tournament.
"Jyoti is absolutely against this upstart tour so he won't be playing but the others have their compulsions. Even the Order of Merit leader, American Anthony Kang has pulled out," said Digvijay.
Tour veteran Gaurav Ghei elaborated the point, "For Shiv and SSP, who have been struggling with their games lately, it's a big event in terms of points and money while Jyoti has begun the European season on a strong note and he can afford to give it a miss."
Gaganjeet Bhullar, who is currently in Singapore to contend for a British Open slot, also swore his loyalty. "I totally agree with the decision because the way OneAsia is dealing with Asian Tour is not correct," complied the youngster, who could have furthered his ambitions in such big-money tournaments.
Digvijay stressed on the ‘unscrupulous' attitude of the new tour. "The Volvo China Open was formerly co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours so this is completely unjustified," he felt.
Ghei, who is a former Beijing Open champion, added, "The Asian Tour has been a part of our development, and occupies a special place in our hearts and we will stand by whatever the Tour decides."
Agencies reported that OneAsia was critical of the Asian Tour for "discriminating between members on the basis of European Tour membership and nationality (exempting players from China)."
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han had said in a statement that he had no option because of the manner in which OneAsia has attempted to ‘invade' the continent without consulting the Asian Tour.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians-to-give-China-Open-a-miss/articleshow/4336949.cms
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