Entrenchment: Euro Tour Increases Participation Minimum

Just a few weeks ago, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said he expects there to be a world tour of sorts in the not too distant future. That was a bit of lip service out of the other side of his mouth as the PGA Tour is expected to announce some kind of "designated tournaments" concept next month in an effort to increase participation by top players.

European Tour chief George O'Grady and his Euro-allegiant stalwarts must have only heard the latter statement. Yesterday, the Tour announced its player board had voted to increase the minimum number of tournaments required to maintain a European Tour card. The minimum is now 13 events, up one from the last increase before the 2009 season.

When that vote was cast in late 2008, the discussion from top players seemed to indicate that the minimum should have gone lower - not higher. Lee Westwood, who committed to playing almost exclusively in Europe in 2011, said then of PGA Tour stars joining the European Tour, "It benefits the tour and everybody on the tour. It's great to have the top players in the world playing this tour."

But, the lure of more lax requirements to hold a Tour card and, therefore, compete for the Race to Dubai's grand prize, have yet to tempt big PGA Tour stars to compete more often in Europe. Perhaps sensing (a) the Race to Dubai will not bring Americans over, (b) the FedExCup may well only exist for two more years, and (c) a new wave of continentalism among its player base, the increase was made.

Ultimately, the PGA Tour and European Tour are competing for the same talent - European-born players who have potential star power. Americans will stay here. Middling Euros will stay there. In the end, the European Tour is asking its stars to decide if it is worth it to balance their desire to remain somewhat loyal to Europe while chasing the $10 million FedExCup first prize, which may go away in two years.