Alliance of Tours poses more questions
30/11/2020
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sport
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golf
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The collaboration of the European and PGA Tours would appear to make plenty of sense but what it actually means for players and fans is still unclear, writes Iain Carter.
Very hard to see how this could possibly be good for either the European Tour or golf fans, especially those who enjoy a bit of variety from identikit resort courses every week.
The European season has already been squeezed into autumn/winter (aside from a couple of weeks in July) by the PGA Tour and this seems like they are simply looking to exert further control over the schedule.
The European season has already been squeezed into autumn/winter (aside from a couple of weeks in July) by the PGA Tour and this seems like they are simply looking to exert further control over the schedule.
There is just as much, possibly more variety on the PGA Tour. As the season moves on each swing has its own characteristics.
Most of the European courses look as dull as dish water with the only ones that look remotely interesting being the links courses here (3 events a year?) and the Australian courses (hardly Europe).
Anything moving towards a full World Tour can only be a good thing.
Most of the European courses look as dull as dish water with the only ones that look remotely interesting being the links courses here (3 events a year?) and the Australian courses (hardly Europe).
Anything moving towards a full World Tour can only be a good thing.
You only need to look at the absolute dross on show week in, week out on the European Tour to see that it's a dead duck. It's already essentially operating at the level of the challenge tour, giving those not good enough to get into the proper events somewhere to play.
Get what you're saying but being a bit unfair on the ET? Whilst not top ranked world players playing week in / week out there's still a great standard of golf being played. That much money in the game that top players will only really come out to get themselves ready for the Majors - can't fault them for that, just way it is.
Have you tried to qualify for the dross tour? No doubt you'd be European no1 in no time.
What happened Pelley's farcical Disco six hole team extravaganza ?
Never took off and wish Pelley would. There must be a Brit to run ET?
Too much US domination and PGA tour is just as mind numbing as ET.
Can't fathom why sponsors throw so much $€£ away. So many far more fabulous championship courses world wide
Maybe World Tour should embrace everywhere except USA and we turn our backs on the circus.
Can't fathom why sponsors throw so much $€£ away. So many far more fabulous championship courses world wide
Maybe World Tour should embrace everywhere except USA and we turn our backs on the circus.
IF there is an amalgamation it will be interesting to see how the big hitting yanks manage real golf courses with twists and turns. When accuracy is needed and the brain has to be used instead of brawn.
I would hazard a guess that the great majority of golfers dont give a monkeys. They are more concerned about their own club and its course conditions, slow play, food on offer, the list is endless.
Professional golf is a sideshow to most.
Professional golf is a sideshow to most.
well said. Golf is in real danger of going down the failed tennis and F1 route as must see TV. Golf has a chance to buck the trend and return to free tv to appeal to all. Golf has seen an uptake in numbers of players albeit due to circumstances and a chance to build on that with tv viewing for all.
Very hard to see how this could possibly be good for either the European Tour or golf fans, especially those who enjoy a bit of variety from identikit resort courses every week.
The European season has already been squeezed into autumn/winter (aside from a couple of weeks in July) by the PGA Tour and this seems like they are simply looking to exert further control over the schedule.
The European season has already been squeezed into autumn/winter (aside from a couple of weeks in July) by the PGA Tour and this seems like they are simply looking to exert further control over the schedule.
There is just as much, possibly more variety on the PGA Tour. As the season moves on each swing has its own characteristics.
Most of the European courses look as dull as dish water with the only ones that look remotely interesting being the links courses here (3 events a year?) and the Australian courses (hardly Europe).
Anything moving towards a full World Tour can only be a good thing.
Most of the European courses look as dull as dish water with the only ones that look remotely interesting being the links courses here (3 events a year?) and the Australian courses (hardly Europe).
Anything moving towards a full World Tour can only be a good thing.
Long thought that golf's structure should mirror the ATP & tennis - Majors, a bigger set of global WGC style events like the ATP Masters, and clearly defined Category 1, 2, 3 events, and lower levels aligned to geographies with clear ranking levels permitted in each level of event. Wrapped up with a global year end event. Much easier to follow and how the top players schedule themselves anyway.
I would hazard a guess that the great majority of golfers dont give a monkeys. They are more concerned about their own club and its course conditions, slow play, food on offer, the list is endless.
Professional golf is a sideshow to most.
Professional golf is a sideshow to most.
An idea would be to take one of the Majors - the US PGA and play it around the world - rotate the venue every year between mainland Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas (Exc USA).
A genuinely great idea but I can imagine there are those in the higher echelons of the USGA who would only have it played on the frozen plains of hell!
The issue being that the US PGA Championship allows any US Professional golfer to try and qualify, it is the USPGA. Similar to the PGA Championsip @ Wentworth for us PGA. Whether the club pro could afford to travel is the problem. We talk about a 5th Major with the TPC. I am sure we will see a Grand final event anyway.
By the very nature of the name, the US PGA Championship is the championship of The Professional Golfers of America as The PGA championship belongs to The PGA of the United Kingdom & Ireland. As having seen the growth the European Tour in the 50 years I have been a Professional lots of things have changed. 48 years ago the tour broke away for the players. I believe that the tours will be worldwide.
Should merge with the Womens tour too
One of the joys of watching golf is when a journeyman has his day and wins. These days will disappear!
Good point. Where will the 'Bob' MacIntyres of the game play now?
You only need to look at the absolute dross on show week in, week out on the European Tour to see that it's a dead duck. It's already essentially operating at the level of the challenge tour, giving those not good enough to get into the proper events somewhere to play.
Get what you're saying but being a bit unfair on the ET? Whilst not top ranked world players playing week in / week out there's still a great standard of golf being played. That much money in the game that top players will only really come out to get themselves ready for the Majors - can't fault them for that, just way it is.
You only need to look at the absolute dross on show week in, week out on the European Tour to see that it's a dead duck. It's already essentially operating at the level of the challenge tour, giving those not good enough to get into the proper events somewhere to play.
Probably still playing with a persimmon driver he got at a car boot sale and Dunlop 65is...
Lol
Lol
One of the joys of watching golf is when a journeyman has his day and wins. These days will disappear!
Have you tried to qualify for the dross tour? No doubt you'd be European no1 in no time.
Does the corporate speak stop this feeling more like a takeover than a merger?
Any Sport that distills itself down to the top of the pyramid holding all the power/money really needs to put checks & measures in place to ensure it's not to the detriment of grass roots. Check out English football where Prem call the shots & the FA is sidelined with the England team treated as a fly in the ointment?!
Any Sport that distills itself down to the top of the pyramid holding all the power/money really needs to put checks & measures in place to ensure it's not to the detriment of grass roots. Check out English football where Prem call the shots & the FA is sidelined with the England team treated as a fly in the ointment?!
This sounds like the start of the PGA Tour being the Official "top tier" of golf (similar to the WGC events) with the Korn Ferry and European Tour sitting on an equal level below it.
The PGA Tour is already the top tier of golf, most of Europe's and ROW best players are already based in the states. If there is an upside to this it may mean seeing more bigger tournaments outside of the states with better representation. Moving the PGA Championship outside of the US may be another possibility.
One of the joys of watching golf is when a journeyman has his day and wins. These days will disappear!
It doesn't matter anymore, nothing matters anymore. Within 3 years everyone will be incased in carbonite & forced to watch women's football, while reciting the Commandments of C3PO.
RISIBLE ARTICLE
There already is a world tour it is called the pgatour
Nobody is saying how much pgatour has paid for a seat on eurotour board
What is significant is that eurotour has not got a seat on pgatour board
There already is a world tour it is called the pgatour
Nobody is saying how much pgatour has paid for a seat on eurotour board
What is significant is that eurotour has not got a seat on pgatour board
Who cares? Dull past time.. ????
The issue being that the US PGA Championship allows any US Professional golfer to try and qualify, it is the USPGA. Similar to the PGA Championsip @ Wentworth for us PGA. Whether the club pro could afford to travel is the problem. We talk about a 5th Major with the TPC. I am sure we will see a Grand final event anyway.
This will obviously benefit Pelley in some way. His salary is already four times the previous incumbents. As for McGinley, well he’s at best an average player who’s worked his way up the ladder by being a “yes” man.
Who cares? Dull past time.. ????
Who cares? Dull past time.. ????
"Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, a European Tour Board member, wrote for Sky Sports: "This is the first real big step in tying everything together, which is something that golf needs.""
Thanks Paul for another invaluable insight. A bigger step in tying everything together would be with your hair.
Thanks Paul for another invaluable insight. A bigger step in tying everything together would be with your hair.
European tour needs to fight to keep the great courses on its schedule. Too many American courses are dull and uninspiring to watch players effectively play driver/ wedge/ putt
The PGA Tour is already the top tier of golf, most of Europe's and ROW best players are already based in the states. If there is an upside to this it may mean seeing more bigger tournaments outside of the states with better representation. Moving the PGA Championship outside of the US may be another possibility.
Never took off and wish Pelley would. There must be a Brit to run ET?
jumbo pay checks "moderation is a fatal thing" new slogan for the pga tour
Can't wait to hear what Clarke, Harrington, MaclLroy, Lowry and MacDowell think about this.
Agreed! Lol ??
terrible decision,but all part of globalisation/one world agenda.
Golf is basically darts.
PGA tour = PDC
European Tour = BDO
Unfortunately all of the money is in the US and the Euro tour is a feeder tour with the top players all looking to move to the PGA.
PGA tour = PDC
European Tour = BDO
Unfortunately all of the money is in the US and the Euro tour is a feeder tour with the top players all looking to move to the PGA.
Good point. Where will the 'Bob' MacIntyres of the game play now?
By the very nature of the name, the US PGA Championship is the championship of The Professional Golfers of America as The PGA championship belongs to The PGA of the United Kingdom & Ireland. As having seen the growth the European Tour in the 50 years I have been a Professional lots of things have changed. 48 years ago the tour broke away for the players. I believe that the tours will be worldwide.
@ The Belly Putter: Case in point. All the best European/International players just want to play on the PGA Tour.
I wonder if the sponsors gave their prize money contributions to the poor in Ethiopia and Sudan and there was not a tour but only the four majors, if the world would not be a better place, we would not have to worry about players hitting the ball huge distances, we would not be bored stiff by slow play on second rate courses in USA and the game for gentlemen could be restored.