Golf's European Tour "is keeping a close eye on developments on the Korean peninsula" ahead of the Ballantine's Championship in Seoul, South Korea next week, but organizers said that "it will be business as usual," according to Tony Jimenez of REUTERS. There "has been hostility in the region for weeks because of United Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea for a nuclear test." European Tour Dir of Int'l Policy Keith Waters said, "We are closely monitoring the political situation in Korea, but at the moment we do not perceive any problems in terms of the Ballantine's Championship taking place as scheduled." Six-time tour winner Alvaro Quiros said earlier this month that "he would not compete in the South Korean tournament." Quiros said, "I don't think it's a good moment to go there. It would be a stupid idea with the way things are." A tour spokesperson said, "The Quiros situation is the only one we've had. Conversations have taken place with the players, and we've sent messages to reassure them that everything will be run as normal" (REUTERS, 4/18).
