Asia's professional players announced last night that they were forming their own tour after negotiations with the Asian PGA broke down.
Hong Kong based Burmese, Kyi Hla Han, the rebels' spokesman, said: 'The impasse between [us] and the Asian PGA has reached an untenable situation and the players have decided to take control over their careers and the organisation of tournament golf in Asia.'
Paperwork has already been signed paving the way for the professionals to set up a new tournament players' association.
The new association will be run by a player-controlled board and will, with immediate effect, be the sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.
The move has received support from the European Tour. Ken Schofield, the executive director of the European PGA Tour, said: 'As we are in Asia by invitation as a fellow players' organisation, we whole-heartedly support the Asian players' initiative, an ever increasing number of whom have become respected members of the European Tour.'