By Rahul Banerji
LIV Golf Investments and the Asian Tour on Tuesday unveiled The International Series, besides its 2022-23 venues and purses for 10 marquee international events announced in November last year.
In a significant development for Asian golf, The International Series will be integrated into the full 2022-23 Asian Tour schedule, a statement said.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Asian Tour kicks off its 2022 season with the $5million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah.
Six out of the top-20 players in the world are in the field including Americans Dustin Johnson, the 2019 and 2021 champion, and Bryson Dechambeau – besides over 50 of the Asian Tour’s most prominent players.
This is the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour. The tournament, which is not part of The International Series, also offers one of the Asian Tour’s most lucrative purses.
Solid representation
India will be well represented at Jeddah with Shubhankar Sharma, Rashid Khan, Chikkarangappa S,. Shiv Kapur, Viraj Madappa, Veer Ahlawat and Khalin Joshi in the field.
The International Series opens in Thailand in March followed by events in England, Korea, Vietnam, West Asia, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Prize purses will range between $1.5 to $2 million per tournament, the Asian Tour said.
The series, driven by Australian golf legend Greg Norman, will increase investment into the Asian Tour from $200 million to $300 million over 10 events annually for the next 10 years.
“We are on the threshold of a new era for Asian golf,” said Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour.
“The International Series is a new upper-tier of elite events, the likes of which the region has not seen before, that will mark the start of a phenomenal period of growth for the Asian Tour.
“It also signifies the beginning of our relationship with our new strategic partner LIV Golf Investments and its CEO Greg Norman.
Record-breaker
“Importantly, The International Series will add to the Asian Tour’s backbone of established events to comprise a 25-event season, expected to represent a record-breaking combined prize-fund.
“Each of the 10 events will be broadcast live across the globe, with plans to attract an international field of headline talent.”
“We are setting the Asian Tour up as a powerful new force on the world golf stage,” said Norman.
“In my 40 years as a professional golfer, I’ve seen many parts of the world that have benefitted tremendously from golf and its growth and development.
“We now have the opportunity to do that in the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East with this incredible investment platform.
Hopes high
“Everyone benefits – professional players, amateurs, grassroots golf, fans, economies, communities, stakeholders. I’ve never been so optimistic about the future of the sport.”
The Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin will host The International Series Thailand from March 3 to 6 with a prize purse of $1.5 million.
Next up is London and the Centurion Club from June 9 to 12 with a $2 million purse.
The second half of the year will see stops in Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia before heading to West Asia and then culminating in China, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the Asian Tour said.
Also read: Greg Norman heads lucrative Saudi-backed series on Asian Tour
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