European Tour will not sanction 2016 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has backed the European Tour’s decision to withdraw the Bridgestone Invitational from its 2016 schedule, even though that creates a dilemma for potential team members.

The Tour’s incoming chief executive, Keith Pelley, made a statement of intent yesterday in his first week in the role since succeeding George O’Grady when he decided to withdraw his organisation’s co-sanctioning of the World Golf Championship event, won by Ireland’s Lowry on Sunday, after it was moved into a schedule clash with the 2016 French Open.

The European Tour has refused to sanction the switch, so Ryder Cup qualification points will be available only at the French Open.

“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 100th anniversary celebrations”. “I think next year with the Olympics being back in, we all realize how hard it has been for scheduling issues”. The French Open is steeped in history, around a wonderful venue that we have the 2018 Ryder Cup around.

When asked what recommendation he would make to players seeking advice over which tournament to participate in next July, Clarke insisted: “France”.

‘I’m fully in support of what the European Tour have done.

The European Tour has stressed that France hosts the oldest national open in continental Europe.

To accommodate the return of golf to the Summer Games, the 2015-16 PGA Tour schedule has been shuffled from its normal rotation. And I think a breakthrough win for him last week is very important for him at this stage of his career.

The WGCs have an $8 million purse and offers far more world ranking points than a regular European Tour event. It also will affect players who compete on both tours.

Lowry will undoubtedly want to defend the title he won in such style on Sunday, but he and others could be in need of Ryder Cup points at that time, with the qualifying race traditionally ending in late August.

Clarke sympathised with Lowry’s plight but said he was proud at his Tour’s decision to make a stand against the PGA Tour. That is that week as the French Open, a prominent competition that has been a piece of the European Visit plan subsequent to 1972. It’s just business. It’s just one of those things.