'We Are Building Pathways And Creating Opportunities In Markets That Have Not Always Had Access To Elite Golf' - The Role Of The International Series On The Global Stage

What a year it’s been for the Asian Tour, a circuit that continues to go from strength to strength, with The International Series, now in its fourth season, creating more opportunities to compete at the top level than ever before.

Introduced in 2022, the LIV-backed series started with the International Series Thailand, with bigger prize pools, stronger fields and more opportunities.

Since then, The International Series has travelled the world many times over, visiting the likes of China, Scotland, England, Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Vietnam.

This year, tournaments were held in India, Macau, Japan, Morocco, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, with both established and new destinations adding to the intrigue of the Asian Tour.

It’s been fascinating to watch the world’s best players, experienced Major winners, in the form of Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson, compete against the star names of the Asian Tour and a host of talented, young up-and-coming players.

Not only has The International Series strengthened the Asian Tour, the global schedule is helping to grow the game in all corners of the world and inspire the next generation of golfers in new and existing regions.

To find out more and get the inside line on this rapidly-growing series, we spoke to Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series at LIV Golf.

What makes The International Series so unique?

We bridge a gap for players from all over the world to play on Asian Tour-sanctioned events and follow a pathway that can bring them to the game's elite – the LIV Golf League and the Majors.

With the Asian Tour, we have created a world-class platform that connects emerging talent - as well as traditional and developing golf destinations - with global stars and international exposure.

We are not just staging tournaments; we are building pathways and creating opportunities in markets that have not always had access to elite golf.

From India and the Philippines to Japan, Morocco and beyond we operate with partners in a mix of traditional and up-and-coming golf destinations, and that balance is at the heart of what makes The International Series so special.

Ultimately, we are helping to grow the game - broadening its reach and redefining what professional golf looks like across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

It is important that we host tournaments in a blend of traditional and emerging golf markets each season, as we look to grow the game.

What kind of opportunities does The International Series provide the players?

The opportunities have never been greater. From the regional talent getting incredible experience, qualifying for our tournaments through the Asian Development Tour, all the way through to the pathway we provide onto LIV Golf and even the Majors. The International Series is now a genuine gateway to elite golf.

This year we are now able to offer not one but two places onto the LIV Golf League through our year-long Rankings race, and another two spots will be available through the LIV Golf Promotions event, which a large number of our players are eligible for.

There is even more opportunity available to players, however. International Series Macau presented by Wynn was elevated to the Open Qualifying Series, providing three places at The Open at Royal Portrush.

The Link Hong Kong Open now offers a route to both The Open and The Masters. On top of that, The International Series Rankings lead directly into the LIV Golf League and the Promotions event.

With nine spots on offer through the above pathways, The International Series continues to grow the opportunities for its players to rise to the top tier of professional golf.

The ADT players and regional talent also have the opportunity to compete for places on The International Series tournaments, a huge opportunity given the talent that plays in our fields.

The players must also benefit from competing against more Major winners?

This is a priceless experience, playing alongside Major champions, Ryder Cup players and the biggest names in the world - guys like Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Louis Oosthuizen.

For young talent from literally every golfing destination around the world, testing themselves against that calibre of field is transformative. It is a career pathway - and a learning experience - like no other.

In turn, this must be increasing the standard of competition?

From a player standpoint, the standard of golf is going up every single year. The mix of LIV Golf players, Asian Tour talent, and emerging professionals has created an incredibly competitive environment.

You only have to look at players like Ollie Schniederjans, who won International Series India presented by DLF in a field packed with talent such as DeChambeau and Niemann.

Or take Miguel Tabuena, the local hero who won in front of thousands at International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus in a field that had former world No.1 Johnson plus Major champions such as Reed and Oosthuizen to name a few.

Competing against the world’s best gives our players not just exposure, but belief. They are learning what it takes to perform at that level - the preparation, the focus, the professionalism.

There is also the cultural and personal development that comes from playing in diverse markets - from Japan to Morocco to Singapore. It is an international education in every sense, and the players love it.

What positives are you seeing from a commercial perspective?

Commercially, the growth has been phenomenal. We have gone from four brand partners across ten tournaments last year to seven across nine this season, which says everything about the momentum behind The International Series.

Our value proposition is clear - we offer access to a powerful ecosystem that connects brands to global audiences through elite sport.

Partners like Wynn, DLF, Moutai, BingoPlus, Link, PIF and SoftBank Investment Advisers see the potential in what we are building, not just as golf tournaments but as major sporting and cultural events.

The fan engagement, the broadcast reach, and the international appeal are all increasing year on year. When we see tens of thousands of fans in India or the Philippines, it shows that the model works: entertainment, community, and opportunity.