OneAsia Tour Seeks 20 Event Schedule for '11

A few months ago, we told you about the official unveiling of the six event 2009 OneAsia schedule.  It comprises the China and Korean Opens, the Australian PGA and Australian Open, and two other Chinese events.

Now, Australasian PGA Tour CEO Ben Sellenger has moved to Singapore to coordinate beyond 2009.  In fact, he's already talking about 2011.

The AP reports:

Sellenger said he was confident the 2011 OneAsia schedule, which would take in tournaments from the Australasian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese tours and become the world’s third-largest golf tour, would involve at least 20 tournaments...each offering at least $1.5 million in prize money.

He said it would allow players from each country the chance to remain active on their respective home tours. At least 16 Australasian PGA Tour players will be eligible as part of a minimum 76-strong Asia-Pacific contingent in a field of 156.

The Japanese tour backed away from joining the OneAsia series this year but plans to join next year, potentially increasing the number of events to 12 or 14 for 2010.

As you may know, the Asian Tour is staunchly against the launch of this tour because they feel that they should be the third (if not second) best tour in the world.  They want this done under their branding.

For more on this situation, listen to my interview with Golfweek's Adam Schupak from earlier this year or my interview with Ben Sellenger from 2008, head on over to Golf News Net!