Asian Tour wants Hong Kong Open to be part of Greg Norman’s new US$200m, 10-tournament series
- Asian Tour ends its alliance with the European Tour and hopes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and the Middle East can host events on the new series
- Hong Kong Golf Association says it is seriously considering being part of the new set-up, which launches in 2022
The Asian Tour is keen for the Hong Kong Open to become part of the US$200 million, 10-tournament series funded by a company headed by Australian great Greg Norman, as golf in the region ends its strategic partnership with the European Tour and embarks on a new era.
Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, said the Hong Kong Open was one of the most revered tournaments in Asia and worthy of a spot on Norman’s Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Investments series.
“We have actually been talking to the Hong Kong Open about becoming one of those events but those have just been discussions,” Cho told the Post. “Hong Kong is definitely one of the places that we want to stage one of the 10 events, so is Singapore, so is Korea and the obviously the Middle East, and the others are up for discussion.
“Ideally, it is the Hong Kong Open [that we want for the 10-event series] because of its heritage and tradition and the stature it has in Asia and on the golfing calendar.”
Norman’s series will feature 10 marquee events to be added annually to the Asian Tour’s schedule over the next 10 years, representing a total commitment of more than US$200 million to support playing opportunities and prize funds. The move represents one of the single biggest investments in the history of professional golf.