For the first time since the controversial OneAsia Tour teed off in April, it goes head-to-head this week with the rival Asian Tour in a battle for supremacy.
OneAsia, which has brought together Tours from China, South Korea and Australia to form a “super series” that it hopes can rival the European and US Tours, sanctions the US$800,000 Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open.
Up against it is the Asian Tour’s US$500,000 Macau Open.
The two Tours remain at loggerheads after the Asian Tour said OneAsia was acting unethically by stealing its tournaments, conscious that its position as the main organizational body for golf across the region is under threat.
The Korea Open was previously an Asian Tour event before OneAsia took it over, as was the Volvo China Open, played earlier this season.
OneAsia has won the battle of the marquee names this week with organizers dangling sufficient cash carrots to lure young hotshots Ryo Ishikawa of Japan, Danny Lee of New Zealand and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.
They are sure to grab headlines with McIlroy, 20, taking the game by storm since turning professional in 2007. A string of stunning performances, including runner-up finishes in the European Masters and Hong Kong Open, eventually culminated in victory in this year’s Dubai Desert Classic.
But it appears few other golfers of note will be playing at the Woo Jeung Hills Golf Club near Seoul.
OneAsia officials set aside 10 spots for Asian Tour members, but an Asian Tour official said this week none of their players had requested permission to take part.
That leaves the tournament with a field largely made of little-known South Koreans and Chinese.
Over at the Macau Golf and Country Club will be a line-up of Asian Tour regulars, led by the likes of Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Filipino Angelo Que, China’s Zhang Lianwei and more than 20 Australians playing for less money.
Ten-time Asian Tour winner Wiratchant is seen as a favorite, but Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang, coming off a five-month hiatus, feels he could surprise on his return.
“I’ve a good feeling about the week ahead,” said Lin, who last competed at the Ballantine’s Championship in April. “Somehow, I just feel so recharged having taken a five-month break from competitive golf. It was great to be able to spend time with my family and I hope to get back to my winning ways in Macau.”
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