'A historic moment in Asian golf' happens in Beijing today but a lot of Asia will be missing. The controversial OneAsia Tour launches its 'super series' with the US$2.2 million Volvo China Open as a tug of war intensifies for the bragging rights in the region.
In one corner is the new OneAsia Tour - comprising the China Golf Association (CGA), the Korea Golf Association, the Korean Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia - and in the other is the Asian Tour.
The gloves are well and truly off as the chiefs of both tours trade insults, and players, rival tours and vested interests take sides.
The national open of China has blossomed over the years with a co-sanctioning between the CGA, Asian Tour and European Tour. But the CGA's decision to join forces with OneAsia means only a handful of Asian Tour players will be among the 156-strong field, which tees off at Beijing CBD International Golf Club this morning.
The small Asian Tour contingent, including former Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee, qualify through their European Tour rankings and therefore do not run foul of an Asian Tour boycott.
The powerful Japan Tour had initially jumped ship to OneAsia but switched its allegiance back to the Asian Tour, believing the time was not right for such a 'super series'.
OneAsia had planned to stage a minimum of six tournaments with prize money in excess of US$1 million in 2009 with between 12 and 15 events expected to be on the 2010 schedule. But it has already lost one event - the Pine Valley Beijing Open - after its sponsor became nervous.
