The Asian Tour's U-turn on expanding its 2016 Order of Merit list of top players has deprived Thai star Chinnarat Phadungsil of his place in the region's premier golf competition.
Only a few weeks after it informed its members that the top 62 players would get tour cards, the organisation has reverted to the old format which restricts it to 60 places.
The Tournament Players Committee (TPC) of the tour said in its latest email to its members that the decision was made to be "consistent with past seasons and with fairness to members in mind".
Thailand's Pariya Junhasavadikul, who is a TPC member, revealed that the review was made after complaints from players.
"With that, only the top 60 players are able to keep cards for the 2017 season," Pariya said.
"The tour is at the risk of being sued by the players affected by the decision, but we have to stick to the rules."
No.61-ranked Chinnarat is not the only player to feel disappointed as Australian Scott Barr, who finished a spot behind the Thai, has also lost his place on the tour.
Fourteen Thais succeeded in keeping their cards for the 2017 season with Pavit Tangkramonpraset, who won his maiden title at the Macao Open, finishing highest at 10th.
The 27-year-old Pavit hopes to carry his form into the new season when the Singapore Open, which is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour, gets underway on Jan 19-22.
Also joining the one-million-dollar event will be Poom Saksaensin, Thitiphun Chuayprakong, Prayad Marksaeng, Natipong Srithong and Danthai Boonma.
The star-studded Singapore Open field will include Ernie Els of South Africa, Adam Scott of Australia and Sergio Garcia of Spain.