DESTINATION GOLF ASIA 2024
The Asian Tour
Exclusive interview with the Commissioner of the Asian Tour Cho Minn Thant
You have personally been involved with the Asian Tour for a number of years . What did you do when you first joined and when was that ? Cho Minn Thant : I joined the Asian Tour in 2007 . My first role was in the event department which operated events such as the Brunei Open , Cambodia Open , Vietnam Masters , Philippine Open , and Qualifying School . I ’ m proud to say that I worked my way up through the Tour to a more holistic Tour Development role . Then onto more senior management roles , including Director of Tour Affairs to Chief Operating Officer , and finally as the Commissioner / CEO role .
Now you are the tour ’ s Commissioner , things have moved on at a very fast pace . How did you first get involved with Greg Norman ? Stepping up to the Commissioner ’ s position in late 2019 was interesting , to say the least . Having to endure the most uncertain time in the Tour ’ s history during the Covid-19 pandemic was obviously quite testing but we are now enjoying a very strong period of growth for the Tour .
It is very satisfying to see the positive outcome of the strategic decisions that we made during the pandemic period . Our discussions with our Saudi partners actually began much before LIV was officially established and in turn , Greg Norman came onboard as their Commissioner .
I am glad to have been a part of the early planning and execution of what would eventually become LIV Golf as we now know it but Greg undoubtedly added another dimension and immeasurable qualities by joining LIV and leading the way in establishing the product .
Please explain the current connections with LIV Golf and the Asian Tour and where you see the Asian Tour fitting into the new PGA / PIF marriage . LIV Golf and the Asian Tour have a very harmonious relationship through the International Series . The International Series is a cobranded product and we are currently in the second year of the series which sees us travel through Asia , the Middle East , and Europe . The series has now evolved into ten events up from seven last year .
The International Series serves multiple purposes where first and foremost , it acts as a series of premier events on the Asian Tour platform with elevated prize purses and stronger fields . It also allows the LIV League players a platform to compete on in addition to the fourteen LIV League events .
Last but not least , the Internationals Series money list rankings give
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