US PGA Tour in for the long haul in China
In a move that could have a big impact on the sport on the mainland, a new domestic circuit will offer promising players a path to the top
America's PGA Tour has pledged to stay in China for the long haul after taking the bold step of setting up a domestic circuit offering players a new route to the top level, including the Olympic Games.
In a move that could have a big impact on mainland golf, and even the sport's future, the newly established PGA Tour China will roll out 12 events this year.
PGA Tour vice-president Greg Gilligan, the body's managing director for Greater China, said the tour also had plans to expand to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, and perhaps even farther afield in Asia if successful on the mainland.
But Hong Kong Golf Association chief executive Tom Phillips said yesterday that was news to him. "It's the first I have heard of it. We have had no formal communication with the PGA Tour," he said.
It's a stepping stone where players can continue to hone their competitive skills and graduate from one tour to the next
The initiative could help China fulfil their potential after already producing youngsters of the calibre of Guan Tianlang, who caused a sensation by making the cut at last year's Masters aged just 14.