AFP/London

The European and Asian tours yesterday said they would combine their business dealings and playing memberships in a “joint vision” which is likely to alter the landscape of world golf.
The two tours, who already co-sanction several tournaments a year, said in a joint announcement that they would now enter an “exclusive discussion period” to hammer out the details.
“We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Asian Tour for many years and today’s announcement is the first step in the next stage of that partnership,” European Tour CEO Keith Pelley said in the statement.  
“I am excited about the prospect of what is to come and the opportunity that this announcement presents. Over the next few months we will work through, with our membership, all the specific details of what I believe will ultimately provide significant benefit to them.”
The move comes at an uncertain time for golf with tournaments disappearing from both circuits in recent years and reports of falling playing numbers in some countries.
It is likely to give the European Tour extra clout in the key market of Asia, while the Asian Tour gains an edge over its rival regional circuit, OneAsia.
“By combining strength with strength, we will ensure that professional golf in Asia will continue to enjoy sustained growth in the long-term; plus deliver a stronger platform for our members to excel,” said Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr.
“This initiative will ultimately create an inimitable platform that will enhance our appeal to sponsors, partners and golf fans around the world.”

Ko in contention
Vancouver: Lydia Ko made it look easy again at the Vancouver Golf Club making birdie on three of her final four holes to shoot a 67 and put herself in contention at the Canadian Women’s Open.
The 18-year-old world number two seized the early clubhouse lead and finished Thursday just two strokes back of first-round leader Karine Icher, of France, who shot a seven-under 65 in the afternoon.
“It’s a really solid start,” said New Zealand’s Ko, who is alone in second. “I had the same score the last time I was here.”
Not only did she have the same score when the tournament was played in Vancouver in 2012 but she went on to win the event as a 15-year-old amateur.
“Hopefully this will give me good momentum for the next couple of days,” said Ko, who is a two-time champion in the tournament having also won two years ago when it was hosted by Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.
The 36-year-old Icher is seeking her first victory on the LPGA Tour and her first internationally in a decade.
Stacy Lewis, Danah Bordner, South Korea’s Kim In-Kyung, and Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg shared third place at 68.
A half dozen players were tied for seventh at 69, comprising American Amy Anderson, Taiwan’s Candie Kung, England’s Charley Hull, Sweden’s Anna Nordquist and South Korean’s Kim Sei-Young and Jang Ha-Na.
Ko’s victory at age 15 made her the LPGA Tour’s youngest champion. Ko, of Auckland, has continued to improve each year and has two victories in 2015.
She countered two bogeys with two birdies on her first seven holes in the first round before adding five birdies the rest of the way.
Icher owns five victories on the Ladies European Tour, but none since the 2005 Catalonia Ladies Masters.  
Five birdies in a six-hole stretch—including four in a row from No. 8 through No. 11 — highlighted Icher’s bogey-free round. Icher made par on each of the final seven holes.  
Brooke Henderson, a 17-year-old Canadian who was granted LPGA Tour membership after winning the Portland Classic last weekend, opened with a 70.
Henderson began her round with a birdie then added back-to-back birdies on the back nine at number 13 and the par-four 14th. She capped her solid round with four straight pars.
World number one Park In-Bee, who is coming off a win in the Women’s British Open, posted an opening-round 71.