Boost for Wu and Li to enter pinnacle of the game

When the DP World Tour's Asian Swing kicked off in Singapore last week before making further stops in Thailand and India over the next fortnight, it will serve as a massive boon to the region's aspiring golfers, including China's Wu Ashun and Li Haotong, who harbor dreams of chasing history and legacy.

In the past, Asian greats including, Zhang Lianwei of China, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and India's Arjun Atwal had notched historic wins for their respective nations in DP World Tour-sanctioned tournaments across Asia, and reaped immediate rewards by earning playing rights in what was formerly known as the European Tour.

The stakes are now so much higher as a total of 10 PGA Tour cards will be up for grab on the DP World Tour in 2023 for the creme de la creme to gain direct entry to the pinnacle of the men's professional game.

"This year, a lot of players will target for that, including me," said the 37-year-old Wu, who finished tied 12th in Singapore on Sunday. "I have a chance. I have been doing well and I trained well in the off-season. I've played on the DP World Tour for a long time, and I like this Tour. Having 10 spots for the PGA Tour is great, a lot of players will focus on that, so it will be very interesting to compete in any tournament this year. We are from Asia, so travel is pretty hard for us, but it's a good challenge for us and every player too — trying to keep in our best condition for every tournament, play your best and try to get a PGA Tour card," added the four-time DP World Tour winner.

China already has Marty Dou Zecheng and Carl Yuan Yechun plying their trade full-time on the PGA Tour after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour in the US. In 2018, Li, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, finished ninth in the Race to Dubai ranking, a feat he needs to replicate if he is to secure one of 10 PGA Tour cards at stake this year.

The strengthening of a Strategic Alliance between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, which was initially formed in 2020, has now created clear career pathways for Asia's rising stars to emerge onto the biggest stage in golf. After all, it only takes one week in pro golf for a player's life to be transformed.

"The 10 PGA Tour cards are good," said Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who spent five years on the PGA Tour before losing his status last season. "This creates opportunities for a new generation of golfers to play on a higher tour. As for me, I'm trying to play decent golf again on the DP World Tour, maybe win a couple and then get back onto the PGA Tour," added the 33-year-old, whose four DP World Tour wins include two in Asia.

"I think it is a great opportunity for players," said India's 26-year-old Shubhankar Sharma, who holds two victories on the DP World Tour and finished 29th in the Race to Dubai ranking last season. "Getting onto the PGA Tour has been the dream for most players. It is the biggest Tour in the world, so this alliance between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour could be a huge game changer."

With other strategic alliances forged recently between the DP World Tour/PGA Tour and Japan Golf Tour, Korean PGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and PGA of Australia, players from the various domestic circuits will now enjoy various pathways onto the DP World Tour, and subsequently have a legitimate chance to get onto the PGA Tour so long as they can perform at the highest level.

Kiradech, who was once ranked as high as 29th in the world, plans to maintain Bangkok as his home base as he seeks to regain his best form. During his five-year stint in the US, the amiable Thai had a tough time adjusting to life away being from his family. "Staying at home now, it's amazing. I've got family around me all the time … it's our culture, we stick together, eating, spending time together and staying in the same area. I can also spend more time with my cars," said Kiradech, a well-known lover of fast cars.

With the Thailand Classic being played at Amata Spring Country Club this week, Wu and Li will be gunning for a strong showing to build a foundation toward a successful campaign in 2023.

Sharma also hopes to see more Indian golfers joining him on the DP World Tour after compatriot Manu Gandas become the first PGTI player to earn a tour card through the new alliance, which benefits include the launch of two new Challenge Tour events in India along with the staging of the Hero Indian Open later this month. "The DP World Tour's alliance with the Indian (PGTI) Tour for the winner of the Order of Merit could be a game changer. There will also be spots in Qualifying School. This means over the next two to three years, we will have more Indians with a card on the DP World Tour," said Sharma.

Following this month's stops in Asia, the DP World Tour will return to the Far East again in late April for new tournaments in Japan and South Korea, thus establishing opportunities for the region's hopefuls to stamp their mark and take that first step toward the PGA Tour.

The writer is senior director, marketing and communications — APAC for the PGA Tour and is based in Kuala Lumpur.