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Economy

After the LIV golden years, it’s back to the future for Hong Kong Open and Asian Tour

The Link Hong Kong Open has seen plenty of changes in the 67 years of its existence, from the founding of Ping in 1959 to the balata balls of the 1980s and the crushing distance of the modern pro, and yet it may be the past four years that have involved the most upheaval. Not known as a sport that typically embraces the new – rapid technological advancement aside – the city’s oldest international sporting event has been at the heart of the divisions that have rippled through the game since LIV...

Source: South China Morning Post · August 14, 2026 at 4:08 AM · AI-assisted report

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 AUGUST 2026 —

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Hong Kong Open Returns to Asian Tour Roots After LIV Era Ends

Market Impact

HONG KONG — The Link Hong Kong Open, Asia’s oldest international golf tournament, is reverting to its traditional format this year after a four-year stint as part of the high-profile International Series co-sanctioned with LIV Golf. The 67-year-old event, which has evolved from balata-era competitions in the 1980s to modern professional tournaments, now faces a return to simpler times following the withdrawal of Saudi-backed LIV Golf from the global golf landscape.

The tournament, scheduled for November, will once again operate solely under the Asian Tour banner before a planned resumption of its partnership with the DP World Tour (DPWT) in 2027. This cyclical shift reflects broader realignments in professional golf, where financial and structural changes have reshaped the sport’s competitive ecosystem.

The Asian Tour, which had expanded its International Series with LIV Golf’s US$300 million investment from 2023 to 2025, now finds itself recalibrating its strategy amid the departure of its primary financial backer.

A Brief but Impactful LIV Partnership

The collaboration between the Asian Tour and LIV Golf marked a defining chapter in the region’s golf history. Between 2023 and 2025, the International Series introduced tournaments in Morocco, the Philippines, and other global locations that had previously been beyond the Asian Tour’s reach. The Hong Kong Open, in particular, benefited from this elevated exposure, offering players not only prize money—last year’s winner, Tom McKibbin, took home US$360,000—but also coveted spots in major championships.

McKibbin’s victory secured him invites to this year’s Masters and Open Championship, with both majors expected to confirm continued participation in the coming weeks.

However, the International Series faced abrupt cancellations, including events planned for India and mainland China, while the Philippine Open reverted to Asian Tour status. The PIF Saudi International, scheduled for November, remains uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour’s commissioner and CEO, described the LIV partnership as “a nice five years” that brought unprecedented opportunities but ultimately represented “a bit of a market correction” for the sport.

Structural Shifts and New Opportunities The end of the International Series has prompted structural adjustments within the Asian Tour. Starting next year, the tour plans to host 22 or 23 events, a slight reduction from previous years but still robust compared to pre-LIV levels. A key development is the tour’s strengthened partnership with the DP World Tour, which will resume co-sanctioning four to five events in 2027.

This arrangement will grant the top performers on the Asian Tour Order of Merit direct access to the DPWT, while those ranked second and third will earn status on Europe’s second-tier HotelPlanner Tour. The top three players not already exempt will also gain entry to the final stage of the DPWT’s Q-School.

For players like Taichi Kho, the 2024 Asian Games gold medalist, the shift necessitates a strategic reevaluation of the season’s priorities. Kho, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, now faces a packed schedule that includes defending his Asian Games title, with tournaments in Taiwan and Macau taking on added significance.

“I was planning to establish myself in Japan a little more, but with this opportunity coming up, I want to give myself as many chances as possible on the Asian Tour,” Kho said. His focus will now center on maximizing his performance in the tour’s remaining events to secure a DPWT card.

Regional Implications for Malaysian and Southeast Asian Golf

The changes reverberate across Southeast Asia, where golf’s competitive landscape has been reshaped by financial inflows and subsequent withdrawals. Malaysian players, including Scott Vincent and Carlos Ortiz—both competing in the now-defunct LIV Golf League—will continue to have opportunities on the Asian Tour. Cho confirmed that LIV-affiliated players who seek invitations will be considered if they “add value to the Tour.” This ensures continuity for regional talent while the Asian Tour seeks to stabilize its calendar.

The tour’s renewed partnership with the DP World Tour is expected to enhance competitiveness among Asian players, many of whom have historically relied on invitations to access higher-tier events. By integrating the Asian Tour more closely with the DPWT and PGA Tour, the region’s golfers gain clearer pathways to global competition.

“They had a long partnership [with the Asian Tour] before all this came along, so it’s a proven model and hopefully it continues to thrive and improve going forward,” Kho noted.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Balancing Stability and Ambition Cho Minn Thant emphasized that the Asian Tour’s future is secure, despite the turbulence of the past four years. “The Asian Tour was around before LIV and will be around post-LIV, and we’re OK,” he stated. The tour’s ability to adapt—from its pre-LIV model to the high-stakes International Series and now back to a more traditional structure—demonstrates resilience.

However, the loss of the International Series events in India and China underscores the fragility of relying on external financial backing.

For the DP World Tour, the renewed partnership represents an opportunity to re-engage with Asian markets on more equitable terms. Cho highlighted that the Asian Tour is now being treated as a “much better partner” than in previous years, a shift that could lead to more sustainable collaborations. The tour’s reduced but focused schedule next year aims to consolidate its position while preparing for the 2027 relaunch with the DPWT.

Looking Ahead: Uncertainty and Potential Resurgence Despite the current stability, uncertainty lingers over golf’s financial future. The cancellation of LIV Golf’s US$40 million team championship this week leaves its 2026 season in doubt, with next week’s Indianapolis event marking the league’s finale. While Cho expressed confidence in retaining players like Vincent and Ortiz, the broader implications of LIV’s potential return in a different form by 2027 remain speculative.

For now, the Asian Tour’s focus is on rebuilding and strengthening its core events, including the Hong Kong Open, which returns to its traditional format this year. The tournament’s long history—spanning from its Ping-era origins in 1959 to its modern iteration—mirrors golf’s enduring appeal in the region.

As the sport recalibrates, the Asian Tour stands poised to reclaim its role as a vital conduit for talent, offering players like Kho and his peers a pathway to global competition.

With the DP World Tour partnership on the horizon and a renewed emphasis on regional tournaments, the next chapter for Asian golf may well be one of consolidation and growth—far from the golden years of LIV, but grounded in the enduring traditions of the game.

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Reporting based on South China Morning Post. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.