Singapore: The Asian Tour has ended another year of impressive progress with India's Jeev Milkha Singh dominating proceedings after a magnificent run of victories catapulted him into the world's top 40.
Continuing a trend that has seen the tour expand from 18 events worth $9 million in 2003 to 29 events valued at $26.5 million next year, golf in the region is flourishing on and off the course.
Leading the Asian charge into next season's majors is the smooth-swinging Singh, who ended seven years of injury frustration with a first victory since 1999 at April's China Open.
The 35-year-old from Chandigarh went on to register three more victories, the Volvo Masters in Spain and back-to-back wins in Japan, on his way to a first order of merit title and an end-of-season world ranking of 37.
His lofty position has guaranteed Singh an invitation to next season's US Masters, where he will become the first Indian to compete at the Augusta event, and the year's three other majors.
"It's been a dream year for me," Singh told reporters at the Asia Tour Awards Gala in Bangkok where he scooped up three main honours. "I think Asians have a lot of talent and that they can play with the best in the world.
"I've won on three different tours this season, it can't get any better than this. God has been good to me. It's been a perfect year."
Breakthrough Season
Singh was pursued in the money rankings by Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee, arguably the most consistent player on the tour over the last six years, and the promising 22-year-old Prom Meesawat.
Thongchai ended the year on a high note by winning the Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok last week for his eighth victory in seven years, while Prom enjoyed a breakthrough season that was highlighted by a debut triumph at May's SK Telecom Open in Korea.
Off the course, the tour witnessed a changing of the guard at senior management level following the sudden resignation of former chief executive Louis Martin in September.
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Over the last few years, the Briton had endured a number of run-ins with his players and the European Tour, with whom the Asian Tour co-sanctions nine events.
In April, Martin said had taken a "lashing" from his players after being accused of capitulating in a rift with the European Tour over a clash of tournament dates.
His relationship with them was tested further at the Singapore Open in September, when the tour opted to cancel the final round of the flagship event after thunderstorms had led to lengthy delays and the prospect of a fifth day's play.
Other Interests
Rather than asking the players to return on Monday to complete their rounds, Martin announced that a playoff between third-round co-leaders Adam Scott and Ernie Els - two of the tournament's drawcards - would decide the winner on Sunday.
Within a week Martin announced that he was stepping down, stating: "I have always said that I came to help establish the tour and set up a strong management team. That has been achieved and now is the right time for me to pursue other interests."
Martin was replaced by veteran players Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar and American Gerry Norquist, who took on the titles of executive chairman and senior vice president of commercial development respectively.
Han had been involved with the running of the tour for a number of years and looked back fondly on 2006 as another positive season.
"We are delighted with how our players have performed this season, both at home and abroad," Han said. "The golfing world is beginning to take more notice of Asia. This is a strong sign that our players can now compete against the best players and it will only be a matter of time before an Asian player wins a major. That would be the next step."
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