Observers ponder what Finchem's appearance in China means for future

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Six months after the PGA Tour officially got involved in the HSBC Champions, Commissioner Tim Finchem was front and center at a news conference and later at the TV trophy presentation to Phil Mickelson.

Small wonder some referred to it as the start of the PGA Tour's "Asian invasion."

Finchem said his 18-day trip to Asia -- part of it a vacation with his wife, Holly -- was to meet sponsors and clients he had not visited in some time, and to meet potential customers. Even so, his comments at a Sunday news conference led to one question.

Where will all this lead?

This was the first World Golf Championship in China, even though the PGA Tour does not yet recognize it as official and might not for a few years. Finchem said it "may evolve in the next two or three years." How that will make a difference remains a mystery unless he's waiting for more PGA Tour-sanctioned events in Asia.

Finchem said he has been speaking with Zhang Xiaonang, executive vice president of the China Golf Association, about three ways to grow the game -- through a First Tee facility in China, by getting the tour involved in building TPC golf courses and helping stage tournaments.

Finchem said Zhang has asked whether the PGA Tour could sanction an event, and that the tour has agreed to work with "other members" of the International Federation of PGA Tours.

That includes European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady, who already has established a presence in China and elsewhere in Asia, and the Asian tour, which is battling with OneAsia for support from the China Golf Association.

One thing appeared certain: While the world of golf is larger than ever, it can appear to be shrinking. Three tours (Europe, Asian, United States) indeed can make for a crowd.

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