The Asian Tour "heads into an uncertain new year with players unhappy with a proposed European Tour merger," according to the AFP. On the fairways and greens "all was well, as Asian players matched their international rivals and made an impression at events across the globe." Off the course, meanwhile, major developments "were brewing in Asia that will rumble on into 2016." In August, the European and Asian Tours announced in a vaguely worded statement a “joint vision” for the future.
It soon emerged that the proposal "was for a fully-fledged merger of the two organisations to form a mega-tour stretching from Ireland to the shores of the Pacific in the Far East." While the increased presence, sponsorship and prize money opportunities such a tour "could harness were broadly welcomed by the European players, their Asian counterparts were less convinced." European Tour Tournament Committee Chair Thomas Bjorn said last week that the merger is “the only way forward," and said Asian players "had no need to worry." Indian veteran Jeev Milkha Singh said that players "were awaiting the Asian Tour’s next move." He said, “We have a new board and we will wait to see what they recommend" (AFP, 12/30).
