Pelley has big plans for Euro Tour

Or say you’re a young European player just out of college who wants to get his start on the PGA Tour.

From next year, the NGC will occupy a premier spot on the European Tour’s elite final series of the Race to Dubai.

There are just two Americans in the DP World Tour Championship field in Dubai this week, one of whom is a full-time member of the European Tour, which concludes its Race to Dubai with a 60-player tournament and a bonus pool awaiting the top 15 finishers in the standings.

Over the years, major champions such as Ben Curtis, Todd Hamilton Sean Micheel and Rich Beem have toyed with European Tour membership along with the PGA Tour. “The European Tour means a lot to me”.

The latter change replaces the previous requirement for non-European members to play one of more events in their home “region”, and recognises the importance to The European Tour’s promoters, sponsors and broadcasters of players playing in their national tournaments, at the same time as recognising the global nature of the Tour and its membership alongside the need for equality in the membership regulations.

The 7,025-yard Graham Cooke and Associates layout has hosted qualifying tournaments in each of the past two years, with the 2016 tournament taking place May 2-6. In Dubai for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, the European Tour chief provided answers to a number of these pressing issues. “The European Tour schedule is not ripe with $3-, $4- and $5 million events”.

Pelley shrugged off the notion that Wentworth itself, where the European Tour has its headquarters, could now seen as problematic with regards the elitist perception of golf.

“The announcement marks a significant next chapter as we move into perhaps the most exciting time in the history of this event”, said Mike Brown, Nedbank CE.

“He’s trying, not really for us guys, but the guys coming through like Matt Fitzpatrick, to provide them a viable alternative instead of going to America because they feel like they have to”.

“We are extremely proud of our association with the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the role we play in showcasing this special event to the world”, said Stephens.

If the European Tour is fragile, why would the PGA Tour want to buy it? “The stature of this tour continues to be elevated as a result of their great play”. Rather than 13 events including the majors and WGCs, now the membership requirement is five events excluding the majors and WGCs.

“Through all of our stakeholder conversations with partners and rights holders, slow play is a critical component and one that needs to be addressed”.

Calfee said he takes great pride in watching player such as Kizzire go on to PGA Tour success.

“This makes it easier for them to maintain European Tour membership and I think that’s a fair thing for us to do and in the best interests of the tour”.