Han denies hurting player interests

Asian Tour chief Kyi Hla Han Friday refuted claims that he was jeopardising players’ livelihoods by fining or banning members if they compete in this month’s Volvo China Open.

The controversial OneAsia Tour, which has taken over sanctioning of the China Open from the Asian Tour, earlier this week said the move was at odds with pledges to maximize opportunities for golfers.

But Han said he was only following the rule book that says that his members cannot compete in a tournament or exhibition in the seven days immediately before or after an Asian Tour event.

“As the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea will be played on the Asian Tour schedule from April 23 to 26, which is within seven days of the Volvo China Open, the release policy is correctly being applied,” he told AFP.

The only Asians allowed to tee off in China are those who qualify through the European Tour, such as Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and India’s Shiv Kapur, and Chinese players like Liang Wenchong.

Han said the only way a player would be fined or banned was if they requested to play, were denied, and then went ahead. KUALA LUMPUR, AFP