European Tour: Date clash sees Bridgestone Invitational miss sanction

The European Tour has chosen France over Firestone.

A clash of dates due to golf’s return to the Olympic Games means that both events are being staged on different sides of the Atlantic from June 30-July 3 next year. The French Open is steeped in history, around a wonderful venue that we have the 2018 Ryder Cup around.

Lowry, who last played in the French Open three years ago, is focused purely on the US PGA Championship and looking to bring his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational form to Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. “But in terms of my first and foremost role is to try and do whatever I can to enable the European Tour to have the strongest team possible”.

Although those involved in the process will hastily deny as much, the sense the European Tour has put down a Ryder Cup marker by withdrawing its co-sanctioning of next year’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is impossible to ignore. “I’m sure it’s going to be another brilliant Ryder Cup”.

Said European Tour CEO Keith Pelley: “The Alstom Open de France has been a staple on our Tour since 1972 and we are confident that next year’s event, with an increased prize fund alongside the current renovations to the golf course, will properly reflect the importance of the tournament alongside the 100 anniversary celebrations”.

Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, the French Open victor in 2013 and 2014, has already said he will probably play in France.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry won this year’s Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday. It’s a messed-up summer. “I don’t think the European Tour had other options”.

That’s the same week as the French Open, a popular tournament that has been part of the European Tour schedule since 1972.

Clarke sympathised with Lowry’s plight but said he was proud at his Tour’s decision to make a stand against the PGA Tour.

Given that the championship is a Tier Two event on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s schedule and carries only A$110,000 in prize money, tournament organizers will be delighted with the support they have received from many of Australia’s emerging and established players and several leading amateurs.

The PGA Visit said in an announcement that golf’s arrival to the Olympics for 2016 accompanied huge difficulties for a mid year plan. It’s just business. It’s just one of those things.