‘2026 is secure, and we’ll plan beyond’- Asian Tour head Cho Minn Thant on LIV Golf's future & International Series growth
Asian Tour CEO speaks on Singapore Open, Indian golf landscape and evolving global pathways
Speaking to travelling Indian media on the sidelines of the Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club, Cho Minn Thant, CEO of the Asian Tour, addressed the ongoing conversation around LIV Golf and its growing role in shaping the global ecosystem.
But beyond LIV, the discussion quickly moved to something deeper, structure, pathways and where Indian golf fits into it.
“One of the biggest events on our schedule”
For the Asian Tour, this is not just another event.
“It’s always been regarded as one of the Asian Tour’s majors,” he said, reflecting on the Singapore Open’s place in the calendar.
Over the years, the event has gone through different title sponsors and formats, but its position hasn’t changed much.
“Along with Hong Kong, Singapore has always been and will continue to be one of the biggest events on our schedule,” he added.
There is also more at stake this week than just the title.
“Having two spots available for The Open Championship is hugely significant…that recognition from The R&A is very important for us,” he said.
Strong field, but a different dynamic
The field this week has a noticeable mix – Asian Tour regulars, emerging players, and a growing presence of LIV-linked golfers.
“We’ve had a number of LIV players come in, particularly with The Open qualifying spots on offer,” Cho said.
Early scoring has been low, but he expects the course to push back.
“It’s probably the best-conditioned course we’ll play all year…It’s a proper championship test,” he noted.
The India question: fewer players, fewer events
From an Indian perspective, one trend has been hard to ignore – fewer players consistently featuring on the Asian Tour.
Cho didn’t dodge that.
“A big factor is the number of tournaments in India,” he said.
“There was a time when we had three to four events annually…naturally, that boosted participation.”
That volume has dropped.
“We’d like to get back to having one or two events in India,” he added.
At the same time, he pointed to signs of recovery.
“We’re seeing strong young Indian players coming through again…and it’s good to see players like Gaganjeet Bhullar returning as well.”
A crowded ecosystem, but still “very healthy”
Indian golf today is not lacking activity; if anything, it’s fragmented.
“There’s the DP World Tour event, The International Series India, IGPL, PGTI… and a growing women’s game,” Cho said.
From a domestic lens, that’s positive.
“Indian golf is in a very healthy position,” he said.
But the structure is not fully aligned, a factor that continues to affect player movement and opportunities across tours.
International Series: evolving beyond LIV backing
The Asian Tour’s relationship with the International Series, backed initially by LIV Golf, has also evolved.
“In the beginning, LIV funding was a significant part of it,” Cho explained.
That is no longer the full picture.
“Over time, we’ve built strong domestic sponsorship…many events are now sponsor-driven,” he said.
The roles, he insists, are clearly defined.
“International Series’ head Rahul Singh and his team focus on the commercial side…we handle sanctioning, player participation and broadcast production.”
LIV uncertainty? “We’re confident”
With ongoing global conversations about LIV Golf, uncertainty is never far from the discussion.
Cho acknowledged that reality straight up.
“We’re always concerned when this type of stuff breaks out in the media,” he said.
But internally, the messaging has been consistent.
“We’ve spoken to people at LIV Golf and they’ve assured us that 2026 will remain as planned,” he added, while also indicating that discussions for what comes next are already underway.
The bigger point, though, is not just about dependence.
Cho made it clear that the International Series is no longer built purely on LIV backing.
“I’m confident that the relationship will remain…but the International Series has shown it can generate its own sponsors. It’s commercially sustainable,” he said.
That shift matters.
Because even as LIV shapes the broader ecosystem, the Asian Tour sees the Series as something that can stand on its own.
“I think the International Series will survive, if not get stronger through this,” he added.
Looking ahead, the direction is also becoming clearer.
“The big focus will be the International Series…LIV has made it clear they want to target national opens going forward,” Cho said.
Scheduling realities and the Bharat Classic shift
One of the more practical challenges the Tour faces is simply fitting everything into the calendar.
“We’ve got 11 events in 12 weeks… It’s very difficult to fit everything without clashes,” Cho said.
That is why the Bharat Classic moved to Morocco this year, to align with both the Asian Tour and IGPL schedules.
“It works out for our players…they can play back-to-back events,” he explained.
Bigger picture: more pathways, not fewer
Ultimately, Cho keeps coming back to one idea – opportunity.
“Our goal is to give players as many opportunities as possible,” he said.
While the LIV-backed pathway is currently strong, he is clear about the bigger aim.
“We’d like to see routes reopen to the DP World Tour and PGA Tour as well.”
Because for him, success is not just about events, it’s about progression.
“Seeing players come through Qualifying School and succeed globally… that’s the most rewarding part,” he said.
What next?
For now, the Asian Tour continues to balance growth, partnerships and a shifting global structure.
“We’ve had to adjust, events in Egypt and Saudi Arabia earlier in the year didn’t materialise. Safety is always the priority,” Cho said
“We currently have 17 confirmed events and are targeting around 20,” he added
India remains firmly in those plans.
“India remains a very important market,” he said.
The intent is clear. The alignment is still a work in progress.
What did Asian Tour’s boss Cho Minn Thant say about LIV Golf’s future?
He said LIV has assured the Asian Tour that 2026 will go ahead as planned, with discussions ongoing for 2027 and beyond.
Is the International Series still dependent on LIV Golf?
Not entirely. Cho said the series is now attracting its own sponsors and is becoming commercially sustainable.
What is the future focus of the International Series?
A key focus is expanding into national opens, with LIV keen to integrate more of these events into the series.
Why are fewer Indian players seen on the Asian Tour?
Cho pointed to a reduction in the number of tournaments held in India in recent years.
Will more Asian Tour events return to India?
Not immediately, but Cho confirmed that India remains a very important market for future plans.
Why is the Bharat Classic being held in Morocco instead of India?
Due to scheduling issues in India, the event was aligned with the Asian Tour’s Morocco leg and IGPL’s African swing.
Ashish Negi is the co-founder and CEO of Khel Now. A computer engineering graduate from LPU (2015), he has been closely following and covering Indian football and sports since 2007. He started the Indian Football Team Facebook page in 2013 and later handed it over to the AIFF in 2015 when it had grown to over 500K followers. Ashish continues to drive Khel Now’s vision while staying deeply connected to the pulse of Indian sport.