World Ranking status for Asian Development Tour from 2013

The burgeoning Asian Development Tour (ADT), which is the feeder circuit to the elite Asian Tour, has received a massive boost when it was awarded Official World Golf Ranking status from 2013 onwards. From next season, all winners of ADT events will receive a minimum of six World Ranking points while the top-six players and ties will earn points based on a sliding scale. The landmark decision was made by the Official World Golf Ranking Board at Lytham St Annes, England last week. The ADT, which works very closely with regional national PGAs and local bodies, joins the Web.Com Tour (United States) and European Challenge Tour as the only secondary circuits in the world which have World Ranking status. The top-three players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn Asian Tour cards for the following season while the fourth to 10thplaced golfers will be exempt into the Final Stage of Qualifying School. Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said it was a tremendous recognition for the Asian Tour as the ADT was launched in 2010 with an initial five events before growing to eight in 2011. This year, the ADT will stage 13 tournaments. “This is a wonderful recognition and a tremendous milestone for the Asian Tour and our Asian Development Tour, said Han. “We launched the ADT two years ago as a genuine platform for upcoming players to hone their skills in Asia before progressing onto the Asian Tour. The World Ranking status will go a very long way towards developing players in Asia and providing a greater incentive for them to participate in ADT events. “With golf returning into the Olympics in 2016, the ADT will become a platform for emerging players from across Asia to have the opportunity to play their way to Rio De Janeiro. This is a massive boost for the game, added Han. Han said golfers from developing nations will stand a chance to qualify for the Olympics as a third of the ADT field is provided to local players as part of the Asian Tour’s efforts to grow the game and encourage local participation and development.Gaining world ranking points will give players the opportunity to qualify for the Open Championship International Final Qualifying each year. This year, the ADT will travel to countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines. “We hope to visit and create ADT events in developing nations. With ample playing opportunities for local players, it can create an impetus for them to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, said Han.