Asian golfers starting to pull their weight on co-sanctioned European Tour events
Players plying the circuit have won five titles in a row in tournaments that are jointly sanctioned
From the majestic Swiss Alps to the historic Delhi Golf Club, players from the Asian Tour have blazed a trail of glory to reinforce the rise of the game in the East.
In a spell-binding six-month run from September until February, Asian Tour members won five straight tournaments co-sanctioned with the European Tour, a feat that was never achieved before.
And with the €1 million (HK$8.65 million) AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open being staged this week as the first tri-sanctioned tournament by the Asian, European and Sunshine (Southern African) tours, all eyes will be on the region's leading golfers as they try to continue the streak.
I believe the success of our players proves Asian golf is heading in the right direction
Golf is all about timing, and high-flying performances by the likes of India's Anirban Lahiri and company have elevated the tour, which is showcasing five new events on its 2015 schedule.
This month, the tour announced the staging of the inaugural US$1.5 million Ho Tram Open at the Bluffs Ho Tram in Vietnam in December and the US$300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open next month, which complements the True Thailand Classic, Vascory Classic in Malaysia and Mauritius Open.
American David Lipsky started the ball rolling with a memorable victory at the Omega European Masters where he became the first Asian Tour member to triumph in the Swiss showpiece since it became jointly sanctioned in 2009.
Australian Scott Hend had emerged victorious in the Hong Kong Open last October, defeating Filipino Angelo Que in a play-off before Lahiri struck gold twice in February with landmark wins in the Maybank Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open, sandwiching Aussie Andrew Dodt's victory at the Thailand Classic.