PGA Tour in long-term commitment to China
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, March 19, 2014
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14-year-old middle Guan Tianlang is the youngest player and the first Chinese player to make the cut at a major event. |
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 golf's top level, including the Olympic Games.
In a move which could have a big impact on Chinese golf, and even the sport's future, the newly established PGA Tour China will roll out 12 events this year with plans to steadily expand. Professionals will be able to earn their way onto America's Web.com Tour, the "gateway" to the world-leading PGA Tour, through their prize money, and pick up world ranking points which are needed to reach the Olympics.
China's Guan Tianlang caused a sensation by making the cut at last year's Masters aged just 14. PGA, meanwhile, gains a foothold in the world's most populous nation, which with its vast market is considered a key strategic priority for many sports bodies.
"We're making a long-term commitment to this partnership and to the development of golf in China, broadly speaking," PGA Tour vice president Greg Gilligan said.
"Our money-list players can graduate from this to the Web.com. It's a stepping-stone where players can continue to hone their competitive skills and graduate from one tour to the next."
"China loves all things Olympics, particularly all things successful in the Olympics," Gilligan said. "So yes, I would imagine that was one element our partners at the China Golf Association... and the Chinese officialdom considered as part of the attraction."
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