Malaysian golf chiefs are threatening to withdraw their endorsement of the US PGA's first event in Southeast Asia over a clash of dates with an existing Asian Tour event in the country.
The $6 million Asia Pacific Classic, co-sanctioned by the US PGA and Asian Tour, and the Iskandar Johor Open are both scheduled to take place in Malaysia from October 28-31.
"In my view, the timing is wrong. There cannot be two big golf tournaments going on in the country at the same time," Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) president Robin Loh told Tuesday's Star newspaper.
"This does not happen elsewhere and we will definitely be the laughing stock of the world. If they come to talk to us, we will ask them to reconsider the dates.
"We understand the Asian Tour is looking at the Iskandar Johor Open as one of their main events and we do not want it to be interrupted.
"Otherwise, in the event of this conflict, we will write to the sports commissioner's office to ask them not to issue the licence."
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Asian Tour said meetings were taking place between the interested parties in order to sort out the schedule.
The Asia Pacific Classic takes place at The Mines resort in Kuala Lumpur, while the Iskander Johor Open, which the Star said would have a purse of $2 million this year, will be hosted by the Royal Johor Country Club in the south of the Malay peninsula.
