Indian Masters On Despite Dispute

Even as Dubai celebrates the advent of the European Tour in a big way with the Dubai World Championships in 2009, Asian neighbours India are still to come to an agreement with the European Tour on the ratio of Asian and European Tour players for the Indian Masters from February 7-10.

The European Tour had offered the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) 46 spots, while the PGTI wanted 52. The big event is less than two-and-half months away and the matter is still unresolved.

George O'Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour said: "We have been holding negotiations and sincerely hope to solve the problem soon."

O'Grady also refuted claims by the Asian Tour that the European Tour was making an invasion in the region.

"It is not an invasion. But by the same token neither we nor "golf in DUBAI" want the Indian event to be a $500,000 tournament. We want to get the best players of Europe. We will try to come to an understanding with the Asian Tour; if that doesn't happen, we'll go ahead anyway," he said.

O'Grady also put an end to the controversy over Valderrama holding the season-ending Volvo Masters event, saying: "They will do so for one more year, before Dubai hosts the World Championships from 2009. The Volvo Masters will have to find a different date to fit into the calendar thereafter."