Jeev Milkha Singh (AFP)
Asian Tour players will almost certainly take part in the European Tour's controversial new 2.5-million-dollar event in India next year after the two sides settled their differences.
Relations between the tours turned sour this year following the announcement in April of the inaugural Indian Masters in 2008.
It was condemned by the Asian Tour as "unethical" as the European Tour organised the country's richest ever event without their involvement. Leading Indian golfers threatened a boycott.
But Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han told AFP Monday "relations are back on track."
"It looks like we'll come to an agreement pretty soon, before the end of the year," he said.
"India is now looking very good for Asian Tour players."
After months of strained ties, Kyi Hla said the two sides finally talked at the golf World Cup at Mission Hills in China late last month.
"A resolution is in sight. It was all about recognition of our tour," he said, but added that the European side had still not fully explained why they announced the tournament without consulting Asia.
The Asian Tour, which has supported Indian events and provided a platform for India's emerging crop of top players, including Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa, was unhappy at what it saw as Europe encroaching on its marketplace.
Golf is among the fastest growing sports in India and is now second only to cricket in the popularity stakes.
Despite the breakthrough in India, the two tours have yet to reach agreement on a European event in South Korea next year, the Ballantines Championships, which was also announced without consultation with the Asian Tour.
The Indian Masters, which is being promoted and organised by the company behind the Dubai Desert Classic, is scheduled for February 7-10 at the Delhi Golf Club.
Players like Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, and Jeev Milkha Singh are all brand ambassadors for Golf in Dubai and are expected to tee off.
© 2007 AFP/sid
