Could the PGA Tour Fall Series Be Moving Out of the US?

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 12:18 PM EST

Last week, we talked about the PGA Tour's announcement of a co-sanctioned tournament in Malaysia to be played next October sometime. We speculated why the Tour wasn't receiving the same kind of flack that the LPGA got and gets when it does the same thing, though on a larger scale.

Further, I speculated that the PGA Tour may take an interest in sweeping up more events outside of the US during the FedExCup off-season.

Don't be surprised to see the European Tour try to hold an event in Canada or Mexico just to return the favor. It would not be all that shocking for the PGA Tour to try to court Ben Sellenger and his Australasian PGA Tour or his OneAsia concept. Those events would be an asset for the Nationwide or PGA Tours.

Well, that may turn out to be more prophetic than I thought. Golfweek has a report quoting PGA Tour player Joe Ogilvie (remember, he likes to complain a lot) that this Malaysia thing is just the beginning.

"The Fall (events) will eventually all be Asia, maybe the Frys.com Open (which moves to California next year) will survive. But otherwise, it will be all Asia," said Ogilvie, emphasizing that this was only his opinion and not fact obtained through his role on the Tour’s Player Advisory Council.

Ogilvie envisions "an Australian sanctioned event next, then one with Japan, maybe something in Hong Kong and Korea. That’s where the growth is and from a television-rights standpoint that’s where all the money is going to be. Asia, Asia, Asia."

For the record, Adam Schupak was the first guy to publish the theory on November 5, though I didn't know it.

I'll be finding out more about the possibilities in Asia with the PGA Tour's Ty Votaw when we talk tomorrow about global golf and the Olympics.

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Comments

Would anybody notice ? I would – but I like watching the fall series

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions

And just that fast

we move away from the poor fire hydrant…….oh well, that’s life and who ever said life was fair.

by em66 on Dec 16, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

There is a question, though – if the Euro Tour wants to bring tournaments to Canada and Mexico, and we want to send tournaments over there – what would be the point ?

Forcing second and third tier guys to travel that far for that many hours when what they REALLY want to do is play their best and have shot to have their Tour card for next year. The Euro guys don’t want to fly over here to play in front of people who have never heard of them – and the same goes for the US Tour guys. Top guys still aren’t going to play until the WGC – HSBC.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions

I think it would be a logistical nightmare to be honest, that’s why I don’t see it happening. The only way I think it could work is if the new Fall Series is really just a bunch of ultra-limited field events for the good players, squeezing the average tour players more.

Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t much care, honestly. Personally, I’d like to see the money list race end in the “regular season”. Collecting big checks when the top guys aren’t in any of the fields kind of cheapens the top 125. Make them play against the entire field – not just the guys trying to get a card.

On the other hand – the sponsors think that the tournaments are worthwhile and good business – so they should stay on the calendar.

Tough call.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Breaking News!!!!

Associated Press has named Tiger Woods Sportsman of the Decade. ESPN reported that more than half the ballots were returned after the barbaric assault on the innocent fire hydrant. It would be interesting to know the voting percentages pre hydrant and post hydrant……..very, very, interesting. Tiger was also voted ……Adulterer of the Decade…..all ballots were received from Blond White women…..lol

by em66 on Dec 16, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions

(we’ve created a monster) :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Athlete of the Decade, not Sportsman.......sorry

by em66 on Dec 16, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply actions

Easingwold's Dream! THE WORLD TOUR!!!!

Joe Ogilvie? Isn’t he the one that has Warren Buffet on speed dial? After all the jokes are worn out…and that’s going to take quite some time…. This will be remembered as the all time biggest sports tragedy, supplanting Steroid abuse and the Black Socks. The greatest golfer of his generation and on course to be the greatest that ever lived squandered it. Some of you younger guys may get to see him on one of those “What ever happened to…” shows. Phil Knight was quoted as calling it a “minor blip”…..Mr. Knight will be receiving the “Denial of the Decade” Award….

by pingforever on Dec 16, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply actions

“the biggest sports tragedy” ??? You have more faith in the tabloids than me. This only becomes a sports story if Tiger doesn’t come back, or comes back and doesn’t win. Otherwise, it’s just another salacious gossip story that ends when TW gets his first win, and either the divorce settlement comes through or they get back together.

right now, this is nowhere near the Black Sox scandal that had a direct affect on professional baseball and most other sports.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, CG I've seen one too many

article about this whole mess. And now I’m given to superlatives. Still, you must see this as a tragedy of serious proportion… I keep coming back to the fact that this isn’t about the thugs of the NBA or NFL. This is a GOLFER…no, THE golfer. Until now our biggest “scandal” was some arcane rules violation… If you know of something more embarassing to golf than this, please tell me….

by pingforever on Dec 16, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

all true – but nobody has ever died of embarrassment. The PGA Tour will go on – I really don’t think they will add fidelity testing to the drug testing program. :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions