The new chief executive of the Asian Tour told the AFP on Tuesday that it is in discussions to host an “iconic event” – perhaps to rival the major championships – as early as 2015.
“Yes, I think we can have an iconic event in Asia,” said Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr, according to the report. “There are some plans that we have that we’re already in the market talking about. We’re working on it . . . let’s say definitely in the next five (years).”
Kerr also told the AFP that he aims to make the Asian Tour equivalent to the European Tour within the next decade.
A “fifth major” in Asia already has been discussed after the rapid growth of the area and big-money tournaments that have grown in prestige in recent years, including the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and Singapore Open.
“The majors are not going to move; I think I can say that for certain,” Kerr said, according to the report. “I’m not sure whether it would ever be confirmed as a major or supported in that way, but I think there certainly is room for an iconic event in Asia that would be at a similar level to a major event, which the players can support and which we can build up over time.”
