What Is 2009 Ladies Asian Golf Tour

Overview

The 2009 Ladies Asian Golf Tour marked the 13th competitive season of the premier women's professional golf circuit across Asia. It provided a competitive platform for emerging and established golfers from Asian nations and beyond, promoting regional talent and fostering international participation.

Organized by the Asian Ladies Golf Tour, the season spanned multiple countries and included a mix of national championships and international events. Despite challenges in visibility and funding compared to global tours, it played a vital role in developing women’s golf in Asia.

• 12 tournaments were officially sanctioned during the 2009 season, including events in Thailand, South Korea, and Malaysia.
• The tour featured a total prize fund exceeding $1.2 million, distributed across all events.
• Notable venues included the Indian Open in New Delhi and the Thailand Ladies Championship in Bangkok.
• South Korean golfer Choi Na-yeon won the Order of Merit with consistent top-5 finishes across six events.
• The season ran from March to November 2009, with events scheduled to avoid clashes with LPGA and LET schedules.

How It Works

The Ladies Asian Golf Tour operates as a regional professional circuit, structuring its season around accessible tournaments for Asian-based players while allowing international entries.

• Sanctioned Events: Each tournament is officially approved by the Asian Ladies Golf Tour board, ensuring prize money and world ranking points are recognized. Organizers must meet minimum standards for course and logistics.
• Player Eligibility: Professionals and top amateurs can enter, with priority given to top-ranked Asian players and past champions. International players are welcome but limited to 20% of the field.
• Scoring Format: Events follow standard 72-hole stroke play rules, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 40 and ties for the final rounds.
• Prize Distribution: The winner typically receives 18–22% of the total purse, with decreasing shares down to 60th place, encouraging broad competitiveness.
• Order of Merit: Points are awarded based on finishing positions, with the season-long leader winning the 2009 ALGT Order of Merit title and a bonus of $25,000.
• World Ranking Points: Top performers earn points toward the Women’s World Golf Rankings, helping qualify for major championships and LPGA events.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2009 Ladies Asian Golf Tour with other major women’s golf tours:

The table highlights the regional scale of the Ladies Asian Golf Tour compared to more established circuits. While its prize money and event count are modest, it remains crucial for player development and regional exposure.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Ladies Asian Golf Tour played a foundational role in advancing women’s golf across Asia, offering competitive experience and visibility to athletes who might otherwise lack opportunities.

• Provided a development pathway for young golfers like Aditi Ashok, who later competed on the LPGA Tour.
• Encouraged investment in women’s sports across Thailand, Malaysia, and India through national sponsorships.
• Helped increase female participation in golf, with over 35% growth in junior programs in host countries by 2010.
• Facilitated cross-border competition, strengthening ties between national golf associations in Asia.
• Offered wildcard entries to top performers in international events like the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship.
• Set the stage for future integration with the Asian Tour and LPGA through joint-sanctioned events by 2015.

Though overshadowed by larger tours, the 2009 season was instrumental in building the infrastructure and talent pool that would fuel Asia’s rise in women’s golf over the next decade.