PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has made it clear to his players that anyone who joins will no longer be part of the PGA Tour.
“This is only the beginning,” Norman said in a release,adding the company has secured a major capital commitment to be used to create “additive new opportunities” around the world.
“We will be a cooperative and respectful supporter of the game at every level,and today’s announcement alongside the Asian Tour is the first example of that,” he said.
Cho Minn Thant,the commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour,called it the “single biggest development” in the tour’s history.
The Saudi International already is part of the Asian Tour after Golf Saudi,which operates the tournament,signed a 10-year partnership with the tour last month.
Dustin Johnson is the defending champion and a two-time winner in its three years while it was part of the European Tour schedule. Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson are among those who have played.