Asian Tour To Receive More World Ranking Points
Kuala Lumpur, July 21: The growing strength of the Asian Tour has been acknowledged by the Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking with a substantial increase in minimum points for events in Asia.
The changes were ratified by the Board during The Open Championship at St Andrews, Scotland last week and mean that the minimum points levels for winners on the Asian Tour will be increased from its current three points to seven points, effective from January 1, 2006.
Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin said: "We are delighted that the Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking has approved the proposal to accord all Asian Tour-sanctioned events with more World Ranking points.
"This is a significant increase and a clear endorsement of the rise in playing standards on the Asian Tour. In recent years, Asian Tour players have enjoyed some wonderful achievements, both at home and abroad and their strong performances have clearly been rewarded."
The Asian Tour has staged 15 tournaments this year, with another 13 events to be played from September. With a strong 28-event Schedule, the Tour will offer total prize money of US$20 million this season, the highest ever in the history of professional golf in the region. Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant is currently leading the Order of Merit.
The Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking also announced that the minimum points levels for the Nationwide Tour in the United States and European Challenge Tour will also be increased.
The minimum points levels for winners on the Nationwide Tour have been increased from three to seven points and winners on the Challenge Tour from three to six points.
Additionally, winners of the flagship event on the Nationwide Tour - the Nationwide Tour Championship – will receive 10 points, on a par with the winner of the Asian Tour’s flagship tournament, the Volvo Masters of Asia.
The Board agreed to another recommendation, also effective from January 1, that in any limited field events with less than 30 qualified players, Ranking points awarded to last place – or first round losers in match play events of less than 30 qualified players – are capped to a maximum of 2.40 (1.2 x 2), which is approximately the value of 50th place on the OWGR.
In this way, there will be no advantage or disadvantage given to those players attempting to qualify for Major Championships and World Golf Championships.
The changes were ratified by the Board during The Open Championship at St Andrews, Scotland last week and mean that the minimum points levels for winners on the Asian Tour will be increased from its current three points to seven points, effective from January 1, 2006.
Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin said: "We are delighted that the Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking has approved the proposal to accord all Asian Tour-sanctioned events with more World Ranking points.
"This is a significant increase and a clear endorsement of the rise in playing standards on the Asian Tour. In recent years, Asian Tour players have enjoyed some wonderful achievements, both at home and abroad and their strong performances have clearly been rewarded."
The Asian Tour has staged 15 tournaments this year, with another 13 events to be played from September. With a strong 28-event Schedule, the Tour will offer total prize money of US$20 million this season, the highest ever in the history of professional golf in the region. Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant is currently leading the Order of Merit.
The Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking also announced that the minimum points levels for the Nationwide Tour in the United States and European Challenge Tour will also be increased.
The minimum points levels for winners on the Nationwide Tour have been increased from three to seven points and winners on the Challenge Tour from three to six points.
Additionally, winners of the flagship event on the Nationwide Tour - the Nationwide Tour Championship – will receive 10 points, on a par with the winner of the Asian Tour’s flagship tournament, the Volvo Masters of Asia.
The Board agreed to another recommendation, also effective from January 1, that in any limited field events with less than 30 qualified players, Ranking points awarded to last place – or first round losers in match play events of less than 30 qualified players – are capped to a maximum of 2.40 (1.2 x 2), which is approximately the value of 50th place on the OWGR.
In this way, there will be no advantage or disadvantage given to those players attempting to qualify for Major Championships and World Golf Championships.
Chuah Choo Chiang
Media Director
Asian Tour
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