International Series ‘goes the extra mile’ to take care of Asian Tour and LIV Golf players

By Matt Smith
The International Series is still in its first year, but Asian Tour CEO and commissioner Cho Minn Thant already views it as key to the growth of players on both the Asian Tour and LIV Golf.

The International Series debuted earlier this year at Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand as part of LIV Golf’s $300 million investment in the Asian Tour over the next 10 years. The series has since held events in England, Singapore and South Korea with purses up to $2 million — prize money never before seen on the Asian Tour.

Among the new champions are LIV Golfers Sihwan Kim and Scott Vincent, while big names such as 2019 Masters champion Patrick Reed have also taken part following their ban from the PGA Tour for joining LIV Golf.

The Asian Tour last week announced the addition of two more International Series events in Egypt and Morocco this season, with Vietnam, Indonesia, the Middle East, China and Hong Kong all expected in the near future.

Speaking on the sidelines of last week’s $1.5 million International Series Korea, where victory went to Taehoon Ok at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club Jeju, Cho said: “The International Series is beneficial to the Asian Tour for a number of reasons. First, we get eight new tournaments this season and moving forward it will be at least 10 next year. These events are very player-centric, and all about the player experience. We take care of the player accommodation, F&B, activities and even services such as a barber shop and players recreation area in the locker room. We go the extra mile to take care of the players and from that perspective I hope they are happy with it.

“From the LIV Golf perspective, our association means we are a platform that LIV Golf can use for players to progress to the LIV Golf Invitationals this year and the LIV Golf League in future, so it acts as a feeder into their series. Also, the LIV Golf Invitationals are eight events this year and the LIV Golf League will be 14 next year. Outside of these, professional golfers need to play to fill out their schedule and hopefully the International Series is an option for them to come and play outside the LIV Golf events, to keep sharp and come and play competitively.”

A number of LIV regulars such as Reed, Chase Keopka, Peter Uihlein, Andy Ogletree, and Turk Pettit have already chosen to take part in International Series events. Asian Tour members Vincemt, Sihwan, Wade Ormsby, Sadom Kaekwanjana, Travis Smyth, Viraj Madappa, Kevin Yuan, Justin Harding and Phachara Khongwatmai have likewise experienced LIV’s new 54-hole format through good performances in the series.

More: Middle East ‘very much’ part of Asian Tour plans
Asian Tour ads International Series events in Egypt and Morocco

Cho played down any concerns that his members might have about potential ineligibility for PGA Tour events through their participation in the series, because of its association with LIV Golf: “There are some players who are concerned about playing International Series events and becoming ineligible for PGA Tour. That’s not the case — we have clarified this with the PGA Tour that the restriction is not in play.

“The International Series is fully sanctioned by the Asian Tour. It forms part of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and there are several players who have played on the International Series who are playing on the PGA Tour, Korean Joohyung “Tom” Kim (Recent winner of the Wyndham Championship on PGA Tour) being a prime example.”

The high-profile International Series tournaments are underwritten and promoted by LIV Golf and Golf Saudi, with commercial sponsorship a major focus moving forward for the Asian Tour.

Cho explained: “We are extremely grateful to LIV Golf for their support. Ultimately, the goal is for corporate sponsors to sustain the tournaments themselves and for LIV to revert to being a promoter at these events. Each International Series event will have the ‘presenting partner’ position available, and the focus next year will include sponsor activations and engaging more spectators to attend events.”

Cho also explained how the Asian Tour has already supported LIV Golf in their bid to secure world ranking points. He said: “LIV Golf are applying for world ranking points independently, but the process requires a nomination by one of the full-member Tours.

“As a good partner, it was our responsibility to help LIV Golf submit their bid for world ranking points and that is under way now — the Asian Tour has nominated them, and they are providing technical information that will support their application with the intention of getting world ranking points next year.”

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International Series ‘goes the extra mile’ to take care of Asian Tour and LIV Golf players

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