OneAsia, described as the “emerging alternative to the US PGA and European Tours, has secured a “multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement” with World Sport Group. World Sport will become the tour’s global marketing and media partner, covering all television production and distribution as well as sponsorship and licensing agreements. The agency will also promote several individual tour events.

A OneAsia statement said that World Sport Group, through its previous work in golf in Asia, had “shown an unwavering commitment towards the growth of tournament golf and professional golfers in the region, at all levels of the game, over the past 15 years.”

Seamus O’Brien, chairman and chief executive officer of World Sport Group, described Asia as “undoubtedly the future of world golf.” He said: “It is no coincidence that US PGA Tour officials have recently visited the OneAsia founding nations. Interest in golf across the region is at an all-time high, and its entry into the Olympic Games will only serve to fuel its growth even further in all markets.”

In 2010 the OneAsia tour will feature at least 11 events, more the double this year. All will have a prize fund of at least US$1 million. The tour was originally founded by the golf associations of China, Korea and the PGA of Australia to promote golf across the Asia-Pacific region.