Singapore: Cho Minn Thant has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of the Asian Tour.

Cho, who had been serving as the Tour’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), will head the management team of the Asian Tour which is headquartered in Sentosa, Singapore.

Working closely with the Chairman and Board of Directors, Cho’s new role, which took effect on July 1, will see him lead the strategic direction of the Asian Tour with responsibilities of bolstering the tournament schedule, commercial development and overall management of International Federation matters.

Cho has held numerous positions since he first joined the Tour in 2007 and assumed the role of COO in October, 2016.

He has vast knowledge and experience in all aspects of professional golf across the region and is a well-known figure on Tour, having been a regular fixture at Asian Tour events for more than a decade.

Cho has been instrumental in the significant growth the Tour has enjoyed the last few years. He has forged close relationships with key stakeholders, including tournament promoters and sponsors as well as with Federation bodies and domestic sanctioning Tours in the region.

He said: “I’m excited to be taking on this role in a time when players from the region are making their mark in world golf. We are seeing the fruits of 15 years of labour with the likes of Anirban Lahiri, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Shubhankar Sharma and now Jazz Janewattananond all becoming global stars. However, the first order of business will be to finalise the schedule for the second half of this year.”

Cho is also optimistic of the commercial potential of the Asian Tour, citing the fact that golf is growing across the region and delivers one of the most valuable audiences in all of sports. 

“The Asian Tour will continue to work with corporate sponsors to maximise value and connect consumers and customers through marketing and hospitality activities,” said Cho.

Jimmy Masrin, Chairman of the Asian Tour, welcomed Cho’s appointment and looks forward to working closely with him to chart the future growth of the Tour, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and players, we are very pleased with the appointment of Cho Minn Thant as the CEO and Commissioner of the Asian Tour. Cho is a proven professional and we are confident he will be able to lead the Asian Tour during this exciting period of business growth and strategic development,” said Masrin.