Police in Malaysia have been brought in to find the Asian Tour's former senior finance manager and head of human resources, who has disappeared - along with a large sum of money, with some estimates putting it at US$1 million.
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han yesterday confirmed a story that has been circulating in the sport's circles in recent weeks about the embezzlement by Adrian Lee, a former employee of the region's top professional tour.
'Adrian Lee was discovered to have misappropriated company funds from the Asian Tour following internal checks and all attempts to contact Adrian have been unsuccessful,' Kyi Hla Han. said.
'We have made a police report and are providing them with assistance. Although this matter is regrettable, it has no impact on the day-to-day running of the Asian Tour.'
Tour officials were keen to downplay the amount of cash Lee has allegedly run off with. Officials said they were still examining the records, but insisted it was less than the rumoured figure.
'Investigations are going on, but we believe the figure to be way below US$1 million,' said Chuah Choo Chiang, the media director of the Asian Tour. 'I hope it is not a million dollars.'