Mike Kerr’s position, which he took up in March 2012, was said to have been in question following an Asian Tour players' meeting at the Macau Open in October.

Golfers voiced their concerns about the Irishman’s handling of the scheme and also the merger itself, fearing that it would lead to diminished playing opportunities and being usurped by the more powerful European Tour.

"The Asian Tour has announced that its [chief executive] Mike Kerr has left the organisation after three-and-a-half years in the role," read a statement from the Asian Tour.

A reason for Kerr’s departure was not given and the statement didn’t say whether he would be replaced.

It comes in spite of European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley revealing in Dubai recently that the players had called for negotiations to continue, having met them in Macau.

"I went over to Macau to spoke to the Asian Tour members for close to an hour," he told a press conference at last month’s DP World Tour Championship.

"Shortly thereafter, there was a vote that was a positive vote for them to continue to give their board authorisation to continue with the negotiation."

Kerr appeared positive when speaking to AFP at the 2015 HSBC Golf Business Forum in Shanghai last month, claiming he had allayed players' concerns. 

"We have addressed their fears in the way we have structured the partnership," he said. 

"What I can say very confidently is that no Asian professional is going to lose any opportunity."

In August, the Asian and European Tours announced initial plans to forge closer ties by combining their business and membership portfolios.

Kerr later confirmed that there would be only one Tour in the future with single membership.

Since staging their first co-sanctioned event at the 1999 Malaysian Open, the Tours have run 92 such competitions.

"During his tenure, Mike introduced a more corporate direction to the Tour and enhanced the structure of the management team," said Asian Tour chairman Kyi Hla Han in paying tribute to Kerr’s achievements.

"We would like to thank Mike for his contribution and wish him well."



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