World Golf News - 29 December 2011

On the European Tour, Britain’s Tom Lewis won the prestigious Rookie of the Year award following his stellar performance during 2011 – his debut year.

Lewis, who is twenty this year, carded his first victory this season at the Portuguese Masters in October. This win at the young Briton’s third-ever professional championship earned him a two-year exemption on the European Tour as well as the title of top Rookie.

Lewis made his first mark on a professional golf tournament in mid-2011 when he came up from behind to lead the British Open – the first amateur to do so since 1968. He was also a member of the victorious British team who claimed victory at the Walker Cup. His recognition as best Rookie of 2011 is a well-deserved accolade that should spur Lewis on as he builds his professional career in the years to come.

In Asian golf, a shake-up seems imminent as the OneAsia Tour announced three extra events for the 2012 season.

Golf tournaments in Asia, a rising destination in international golf, have long been limited to the established Asian Tour. However, the recently formed OneAsia Tour is keen to compete with its larger rival and is hosting 14 events in 2012 with a total prize money pool of $16 Million.

Since launching with five events in 2009, the newcomer tour has weathered a period of economic recession and a turf war with the Asian Tour to secure an increasing number of events and sponsors. For fans of Asian golf, this new tour signals the popularity of the sport in the East, where a growing number of people are taking up golf both recreationally and professionally.

From established golfing nations like Japan and Taiwan to countries that have caught the golfing bug quite recently like Vietnam and South Korea, the popularity of golf in Asia is excellent news for the future of the sport.

Golfweather Editorial