China's golf chiefs joined forces with the new OneAsia Tour so they could control their own destiny - and give their players more opportunities in tournaments like the US$2.2 million Volvo China Open.
A record 36 mainlanders teed up at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club yesterday and not one managed to break the par of 72.
The controversial new tour - a brainchild of Chinese, South Korean and Australian interests - was launched with no fanfare.
To the casual observer it could still have been an Asian Tour event, but a closer look at the field told the story. Only 18 players - mainly from the European Tour - in the 156-strong field finished in red figures, led by 2007 China Open champion Markus Brier at five-under-par 67.
An Asian Tour boycott has weakened the line-up and only the halfway cut today will save the embarrassment of many cricket scores.
China number one Liang Wenchong defended the large quota for Chinese players, saying the experience they will gain will be invaluable.
'China is still developing as a golfing nation,' said Liang, who finished with an even-par 72. 'We are slowly maturing and these players need the experience.