PGA of Australia announces new Asian tour for '09

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SYDNEY (AP) -- Tournaments from Australia, China and South Korea will be involved in a six-event Asia-Pacific series this year, the latest development in an administrative struggle to control golf in the region.

The PGA of Australia announced the series Friday, with plans to expand it in 2010.

The Asian Tour is the main sanctioning body in the region, while golf authorities in Australia and Japan have long been in talks with officials from China and South Korea to set up an alternative tour across Asia.

Australia is not part of the Asian Tour, and Japan will host only one Tour event in 2009.

The new series will start with the China Open from April 16-19 and finish with the Australian PGA Championship from Dec. 10-13.

Other events include the Beijing Open from May 7-10, the Korea Open (dates to be determined), the China Classic from Oct. 15-18 and the Australian Open on Dec. 3-6.

No tournament in Japan has been scheduled for 2009 in the new series.

"Today, we are facing the turning point in the history of golf," Korea PGA vice chairman Wook Seoung-ghee said in a statement.

"The Asia-Pacific super series will be of assistance to gather countries in this region together and, furthermore, it will aid to develop higher level of tournaments in this region."

Aside from the first six events, little else had been determined by organizers, with the series yet to be given a name. Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

"The Asia-Pacific region needs to collectively be the master of the destiny of professional tournament golf in this region," PGA of Australia chief executive Max Garske said in a statement. "The formation of a consolidated Asia-Pacific tournament series is the first exciting stage of this process."