KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Ernie Els on Wednesday called the PGA Tour's decision to sanction its first tournament in Southeast Asia ''momentous'', but he and others see it as a special occasion rather than a trend.

The South African journeyman, coming off an encouraging win at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda last week, said he was pumped up by the groundbreaking CIMB Asia-Pacific Classic in Kuala Lumpur this week.

''Like everyone in the field, we are all very excited to be here,'' he said of a tournament co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and Asian Tour and offering one million dollars to the winner.

''This is a momentous occasion for the PGA Tour and for Southeast Asia.

''They have a great sponsor, we had dinner with them last night and they've signed up for six years, which ia a wonderful thing for the tournament. It gives it longevity and you can really build on it now.

''I think it's a great championship golf course and they have got it in really good shape.''

The PGA Tour also co-sanctions the HSBC Champions in Shanghai next week, but Els said he wasn't convinced that the Americans would follow the European Tour and look to host even more events in Asia.

''The European Tour has shown how to do it (bring events to Asia). Whether the US PGA Tour will do that too, maybe unlikely,'' said Els, one of the most widely-travelled golfers in the world.

''It's a very long way from the US to Asia so any more golf tournaments over here, it's going to be tough for players to travel.

''They have a full schedule anyway in the US, but it will be interesting to see what the Commissioner (Tim Finchem) thinks about it.

''This is a special occasion, and I think that is maybe what they are going to concentrate on.''

England's world number eight Luke Donald also applauded the move.

''It is absolutely a good idea,'' he said.

''Golf is a global game now. It is very easy to stay in your country and play tournaments but in terms of elevating the game, people want to see the US players in Malaysia, China, or even Japan.