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Agence France-Presse

The Asian Tour wants to add a lucrative event before June to help its players qualify for this summer’s Paris Olympics, the head of the tour’s International Series told AFP on Wednesday.
Rahul Singh was speaking ahead of this week’s International Series Macau, where players are chasing a US$2 million prize fund and all-important ranking points.
Only 60 players will reach Paris 2024 and with most countries having a maximum of two places, competition is fierce before the Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) are finalised in June.
Hong Kong’s Asian Games gold medallist Taichi Kho is one player who has stated his goal this year is to qualify for Paris.
The 23-year-old, the 2023 Asian Tour young player of the year, is just outside the top 60 on the rankings.

“I think International Series events, with how strong the fields are, is a great opportunity for me to crack the top-60 benchmark,” Kho said.
“It’s an opportunity this week to progress my game and get a little bit closer to that vision of playing the Olympics.”
LIV Golf has invested US$300 million in the Tour – which unlike LIV receives world-ranking points – leading to the creation of the International Series.
More than 20 LIV golfers have made the short trip over from Hong Kong for this week’s event at the Macau Golf and Country Club, and Singh agreed many have ranking points on their minds.
“We’re seeing that with some of the LIV boys who sit on the cusp of Olympic qualification and the Asian Tour players who want to work their way into the top 60,” he said.
“And therefore we’re looking actively right now at adding another International Series tournament before the cut-off, which is June 17.”
Singh declined to say where and when the event will be “because we haven’t finalised it”, but added: “We’re actively trying to make that happen and the Olympics is one of the driving forces.”
The Asian Tour has only two events scheduled between now and June, in Saudi Arabia and South Korea, leaving ample room for more.
LIV players such as Anirban Lahiri are battling with Asian Tour golfers such as Gaganjeet Bhullar for one of the India places.
Two-time Macau Open winner Bhullar, currently 50th on the OGR, can rise up the rankings with a good result on one of his favourite courses this week.
Lahiri will play in the DP World Tour’s Indian Open at the end of the month, one of the few tournaments outside LIV available to him.
He had been expected to play in Macau but pulled out after getting the flu in Hong Kong.
Other LIV stars, such as major-winner Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann, have been playing in Australia before Christmas and in Asian Tour events to keep in the frame for Paris.


LIV Golf: Cleeks add Florida State alum Fredrik Kjettrup, in second signing of young player

International Series Qatar: race for potential spot on 2025 LIV Golf League still wide open

Hong Kong Open: dominant Reed strolls to title, equals record for lowest score at Fanling

Hong Kong Open: Patrick Reed takes charge at Fanling with remarkable 59, has 3-shot lead

Asian Tour

Asian Tour bosses to add event to help Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, others, qualify for Paris Olympics

Rahul Singh, head of the International Series (left) and Graeme McDowell have a chat during an event in England. Photo: Asian Tour

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho is among those Asian Tour players chasing a spot at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Asian Tour

International Series Macau: star-struck Taichi Kho torn between respecting his golfing heroes and beating them

Taichi Kho, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Andy Ogletree with the International Series Macau trophy on the grounds of Wynn Palace in Macau on Tuesday. Photo: Asian Tour

Taichi Kho won the World City Championship at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling in March last year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Ian Poulter with Taichi Kho at Hong Kong Golf Club during the 2011 Hong Kong Open. Photo: Taichi Kho

Taichi Kho, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Andy Ogletree at Wynn Palace Macau on Tuesday. Photo: Asian Tour

LIV Golf Hong Kong: world rankings system has proved to be wrong, Rahm says, as PGA Tour pair call for change

Jon Rahm (left) and Bryson DeChambeau talk to the media ahead of the LIV Golf tournament at Hong Kong Golf Club. Photo: AFP

A visitor walks on the course ahead of the LIV Golf tournament at Fanling. Photo: AFP

Workers prepare the course ahead of this week’s tournament at Hong Kong Golf Club. Photo: AFP

Sport

Golf

Rahul Singh, head of the International Series, says ‘actively trying to make that happen’
Kho just on cusp of Olympic Golf Rankings which are expected to be finalised in June


Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho on cusp of Olympic Golf Rankings which are expected to be finalised in June.


Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Taichi Kho

Asian Tour bosses to add event to help Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, others, qualify for Paris Olympics

Rahul Singh, head of the International Series, says ‘actively trying to make that happen’ Kho just on cusp of Olympic Golf Rankings which are expected to be finalised in June

Rahul Singh, head of the International Series, says ‘actively trying to make that happen’

Kho just on cusp of Olympic Golf Rankings which are expected to be finalised in June