European and PGA Tour: Congested Schedules?
by Adam Fonseca on Feb 2, 2011 8:46 PM EST
Email
Print
The PGA Tour's policy on exemptions for non-Tour members was set at 12 for as long as many golf fans and players can remember. However, a recent decree by the Tour has lowered that number from 12 to 10 US starts plus The Players, which has been moved to May for 2011. While most viewed this move as a means to add to the allure of the "fifth major", others are beginning to question if it was a good idea in the first place. Furthermore, many European Tour players are having difficulty fitting this season's Players into their already busy schedule... including Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy. Could this be partly why Westwood and McIlroy are forgoing PGA Tour membership?
The Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard presents an interesting view on this topic in today's article, explaining that the Players' move to the month of May could cause more issues on how world players juggle their schedules. He writes:
Whatever their motivations, Westwood and McIlroy have, at the least, exposed a flaw in the May Players, as well as a concerning byproduct of an ever-increasing global game. As former PGA Tour members who forfeited their cards, Westwood and McIlroy, Nos. 1 and 8 in the world, respectively, are limited to 10 U.S. starts plus The Players, a last-minute deviation that failed to lure the two stars back to TPC Sawgrass this spring.
This season's The Players tournament is scheduled to be held on May 12-15 at TPC Sawgrass, which means it will be removed from the traditional shadow of the Masters, which will take place April 7-10. However, this timeframe puts The Players in-line with the European Tour's Iberdrola Open (May 12-15), and the Volvo World Match Play Championship (May 19-22). Furthermore, the largest event on the European Tour, the BMW PGA Championship, is a mere two weeks from The Players.
Needless to say, this is quite the traffic jam for players looking to compete on both Tours, let alone maintain duel membership. Justin Rose, duel member on both tours, explains:
"Playing (the PGA Tour minimum) 15 events in the States and 13 in Europe is a big ask," Justin Rose said last week at Torrey Pines. "The European Tour doesn't make it easy for me to play so I think (the Tour) needs to stick to your guns."
While the PGA Tour has lowered the number of exemptions allotted to non-members which could allow players in Europe the opportunity to meet their respective Euro-Tour requirements, the European Tour minimum tournament number has been raised from 11 to 13 and will keep players' schedules jammed. Unfortunately for American fans, unless the PGA Tour decides to lower its minimum event requirement for members many of the highest-ranked golfers in the world will be forced to decide which country to play in on a weekly basis. As golf continues to grow in other areas of the globe, like the Middle East and other markets, all players might be further tempted to take their talents to places other than South Beach... or anywhere in the US, for that matter.
93 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
ONLY if you try to force two competing Tour’s schedules on top of each other. Or – as Eas might point out – the PGA Tour fans think they deserve all priority and the Euro Tour should plan around the US tour.
This is a silly discussion.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Aside from the 15 and 13 minimum events on both sides
Was it nesessary to move the Players from March to May ? The BMW PGA Championship in May has always been huge in Europe and when the powers that be decided to move the Players to May they must have known it would cause problems we see today.
I don't think the PGA Tour considered the Euro Tour at all
In 2007, the first year the Players was played in May instead of March, the Euro Tour wasn’t was it is today. If I recall correctly, this was around the time the idea the Nationwide Tour was the second best tour in the world was being bandied about.
The biggest reason The Players was moved to May was that the players wanted a shorter season, so they decided to put a big event each month and they needed something in May around the southeast, being the week after Charlotte. February tournaments are out west, and March is nicer in Miami than it is in Jacksonville – pretty sure you’re not going to take April away from Augusta – so May turned out to be the month.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
March to May
If I’m not mistaken the Players was moved for weather considerations. Also, they wanted to get some separation between it and the Masters.
Those are the reasons I recall for the change.
by Charles Boyer on Feb 3, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
yep – that was another reason – Sawgrass is all bermuda grass, and it’s dormant in March – moving to May lets them play the course without forcing an overseed to make the course green for TV.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Good enough reason, the dormant grass.
The “Hype” about the nationwide at the time being called the 2nd best tour in the world, is another example of a big sell over substance.
at the time, it WAS the 2nd best tour in the world – but not anymore. that line was tossed around 5 or 6 years ago.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
What basis are you using?
Not being contentious – just don’t understand why as recently as 2007 (as per TwoNuse) Nationwide Tour was considered 2nd best in world.
At the time – MOST of the best European and international players were playing on the PGA Tour – and every year, Nationwide Tour guys were graduating and winning ahead of most of the European players on the PGA Tour. Now there are more Europeans staying home to play (loosely speaking, of course) – and they are highly ranked.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Lol
Most of them played in Europe and the US. They played a lot less events that the graduates. Fowler played a dozen more events than Macllroy is a case in point. Most of these graduates picked up most of their cash when the top Americans and Europeans were absent.. Rose and Donald have been more full time in the US but most split the tours.I’ve just looked at the top money winners on the Nationwide tour between ‘04 and ’07 and only 5 are in the top 50 on the OWGR, Kuchar the highest at 12. There’s Bubba, Bill Hass , Nick Watney and Martin Laird, a Scot . None of these have been dominant, except Kuchar having a great year last year on the PGA tour. You need to do more research, court before you believe such rubbish.
ok – here we go again – you’re not paying attention. I said that line was true FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO. You’re bringing up guys who just started playing.
I said that the line isn’t true anymore.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
No..
I’m using Fowler( 27 events) and Macllroy (16 events)as an example. Fowler even finished below Macllroy. With the odd exception, International players on the PGA tour play between 16 and 20 events a year there. Most of your Nationwide graduates play 28, to secure their card and win most of their money in the events when the rest are off or elsewhere. This has been the case for years, going back to the early ’90’s. 5 or 6 years ago, it was the same. Take average earnings per event to get a true picture.
Fowler – rookie last year…..McIlroy – rookie on the PGA Tour last year
How is it you’re missing what I said ? The statement was true years before these guys turned pro. You’re bringing up guys who were playing junior golf when the Nationwide Tour had more talent than the European Tour.
You can’t compare earnings between the Euro Tour and the Nationwide Tour. The sponsorship isn’t on the same level.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
They...
are an example of what was happening 5-6 years ago. You said nationwide players were finishing higher than the Europeans…I have just explained why…they play far more events. Europeans play in Europe as well, which does not count on the PGA tour money list. So, if on the PGA tour, a graduate wins $30,000 per event but plays 30 times and wins $900,000 and the European wins $40,000 per event but plays 20 times and wins $800,000 who is the better player ? I can’t make it any clearer than that for you.
were they on the Nationwide – European – or PGA Tour 5-6 years ago ?
you’re not making anything clearer because you’re starting from the wrong place.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
The PGA tour
and your basis as to why Nationwide graduates playing on it were better than European players playing on the PGA tour then. I’m trying to show you which set were better on average earnings, not total earnings on the PGA tour. You are a tough nut, I’ll give you that…you are wearing me out :)
lol
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Question Court
- 1. Matt Kuchar (25) $4,881,227
- 2. Jim Furyk (21) $4,809,622
- 3. Ernie Els (20) $4,558,861
With these 3 at the top of last years money list, who was the best player, in your opinion ?
Kuchar had the most consistent year overall – Furyk finished best – Ernie had the best year he had had in years.
Furyk was the best player of those three last year – just my opinion.
Is there a point to that question ?
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Yes
position on the money list doesn’t tell the whole story
Your quote;
’At the time – MOST of the best European and international players were playing on the PGA Tour – and every year, Nationwide Tour guys were graduating and winning ahead of most of the European players on the PGA Tour."
At that time…these Graduates from the Nationwide tour played a lot more tournaments than Europeans to gain that position on the money list . That doesn’t make them better..just better attendance..the basis for your claim the Nationwide then was better than the European tour. Surly you get it now ?
I didn’t bring up money – you did. If you’ll read that quote of mine, I didn’t say anything about money. I said “win”.
You’re still not getting it. You keep bringing up players and their performance from last year – not more than 5 or 6 years ago.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
You will never get it
When you think the PGA tour is the be all and end all of golf. We will leave it at that.
And speaking of Westwood.....
He’s not to be found in Doha…A scheduling confict? TwoNuse: The golf world was a different place in 2007. After winning an obscene 8 times in 2006, Tiger Woods followed up with 7 more in 2007…That sounds almost surreal now. That “Second best Tour” thing…based more advertising hype than reality.
Oh my...
I see what happened. His named is misspelled as Wwood, so when I entered it in the golf channel search, it came up “No results”….. BTW – it’s Doha…. Please don’t think me picky, I know how picky those Muslims can be……
Doha then
So no scheduling conflict? By the way Ping re your Muslim remark it;s not always a good thing to tar all with the same brush.
I know a lot of Americans and it’s true, they are not all wankers.
Nope no scheduling conflict....
The term wanker originated from British slang in the 1940s.1 Wanker literally means “one who wanks (masturbates)”. In modern usage it is usually a general insult. It conveys contempt, not commentary on sexual habits. Wanker has similar meanings and overtones to American pejoratives like jerk(-off).2 One connotation, implying egotistical and self-indulgent behaviour (and more analogous to American douche(bag)3), is the dominant meaning in Australia and New Zealand.4
Sorry, I was only trying to be light hearted about a spelling error….. You go with the Australia/New Zealand definition, right?
In NZ and Aus
it’s also a term of endearment. Strange but true. I was merely pointing out that stereotyping can and does, cut both ways – humor not with standing.
Morning sweetness...an you can
call me a Wanker if’n ya wants….Hey, yesterday you mentined that the Govt. might take the course for houseing…Your time frame was 12 months…That goes by pretty quickly…In the event they take the whole thing, what plans do yo have, assuming you want to stay there…I almost finished 1 bottle last night before I left….You is so cute when yur snoring….STUB
STUB
I have no idea at the moment Stub
I’m hoping that someone sees sense and leaves the place as it is. It’s not just us, but also a saddle club with around 40 horses and half a dozen restaurants and bars. This is all set in a beautiful big chunk of jungle in the middle of one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It would be a crying shame to see it go for loads of reasons, not just my selfish ones. That Kiwi white is good huh? Leave some for me.
What temperture would you prefer? I
picked up 3 more bottles, just in case we want to make a full night of it….STUB
STUB
Seriously....I'm sure with your reputation as a instructer,
it wouldn’t be too hard to catch on with maybe one of the POSHER clubs in the area…Any thought s to that direction? I know, it might take away some of you independence, but would give you more stability and broaden your already sterling reputation….jist a thought ya unnerstan…..STUB
STUB
Different situation than in the US
It’s a totally different way of doing things. You work for the company who leases out the shop/range and not the club, so in effect you are doing the same thing as working at a public facility, but not getting paid the same. Plus, you’re right, I like my independence!
The independence went without
saying…So, I guess your committed to staying in the Singapore area than?…We have a sort of the same thing here…Some of the clubs, contracted out to a firm called "CLUB CORP’..this all started years ago…Robert Dedman was the founder…What he did, was hire the Pros…bring in Tennis (build lots of courts), and also bring in Tennis Pros…The Golf pro ran the Pro shop, but Club corp owned it…The Pro got paid a salary…Same for Tennis, and a Club Manager ran the food and beverdge end…They litterly had about 500 clubs at one time…Now, I understand there are a couple of different companies doing the same thing…haven’t heard much about it for a while… I was thinking of your going on STAFF at one of the TOP CLUBS there…What say?….STUB
STUB
There are only two that have "staff"
and while the prestige may be higher (debatable) the financial rewards are much lower.
I’ll just keep grinding for the nest twelve months and see what happens. Something will turn up – it always does!
Competition between the PGA & European Tour
(other than in RC) pales into insignificance compared to what I have just seen. The greatest international competition (IMO) has to be Australia vs England for The Ashes. After that, it is international rugby for sheer passion. Just seen Wales vs England. The emotion the players put into it is draining (and I was just watching). What are the NFL greatest rivalries – and why?
It was gooooood!
Happy husband – France beat Scotland 34 -21. Great rugby. Trouble was I was arguing with Court on another thread, whilst watching the match – every time I went back to typing, there was another comment – it all got totally out of synch – which adds to the fun!
well you’re welcome – glad I could help keep your Irish up…errr…dandruff..errrr…dander up during the game :-D
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
No, no - different match;o)
Ireland were playing Italy (support the latter as they are relative newcomers to the comp. & usually get the dreaded “Wooden Spoon”), but truth be told have a soft spot for that Irish team. Great match it was too – Ireland won of course. Wonder if PG could become a convert?
Wendy....we don't have
rivalries here. We all get along so well that the biggest problem with our competitions is getting the players to actually compete……then at the conclusion of each game the coaches hug each other and all the players have a BIG group hug and everyone sings kumbaya. We are so nice…. and civilized.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
LOL !!! Did you hear the line from one of the Packers earlier this week ? Asked if the hitting gets harder in a game like the Superbowl – the player said “we don’t hit anybody hard – that might get someone fined by the league”. I almost fell off my chair laughing.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
That is funny.....I'm real sure Vince Lombardi would have an opinion on that.....:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
That is just so sweet, em
My, I feel bad about my feelings about the Welsh, Scots, Irish, Italians (& indeed the French when the England/France match comes along).
C’mon em, I supported the Saints for last year’s SuperBowl – the least you can do is save me from Googling the greatest NFL rivalries.
Well, I'll try
For me the Saint/Falcons are big, but no one else cares (maybe court). It’s hard, because it’s not like it used to be with players staying with a team throughout their career and rivalries formed because of the players. Ok……Chicago/Green Bay……Oakland/Denver……….Washington/Dallas…….Patriots/Colts…….Steelers/Eagles??……49ers/Rams.
Most of those are regional. Now days you have coaching rivalries, player rivalries and cheerleader rivalries….ok, forget the cheerleaders…..:)
Somebody help me here……any suggestions????
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
Good business
I knew Torres didn’t want to play for Liverpool after Alonso left. Didn’t blame him then. But if Carrol and Suarez can deliver I’ll be more than pleased. ‘arry will be England manager in 18 months and Spurs won’t make the Champions league this year. What the hell happed today when you were 4 up and blew it ? At least the hated Man U lost.
"I don't want to talk about it
- how they broke my heart".
Muppets – a draw for heaven’s sake with every chance to get closer to thee Red Devils with their loss to Wolves. Bottom of the league beats top of the league (again). Got to be careful here as I have only just seen that they take us on next. Torres said he wouldn’t celebrate if he scored against Liverpool – get real – you’re cheating on both clubs then.
Wendy, I'm assuming
you are old enough to remember Dennis Law. In 1973, he played for Man City and scored the goal that sent United down to the then division 2. He didn’t celebrate the goal and everyone understood why. Torres won’t celebrate if he scores, and both sets of fans will understand.
Easy....come on now....Wendy wasn't even born in 73........:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
I find it wiser to neither confirm nor deny
or are you just planning to send me a birthday card? ;o)
You may, but I wouldn't!
At that price, Chelsea have paid him to celebrate and if he doesn’t I think the Liverpool fans know a hypocrite when they see one. OK, maybe he’ll just quietly snigger then.
That’s a bit like asking if I remember Bobby Moore, 2 x Charltons, etc. Sadly I probably know more of the old footballers names than I do of the current bunch.
Thanks !
great result…Kenny has got the famous Anfiled spirit back. John Henry seems to be doing it right. They are even suggesting Liverpool stay at Anfield. So different that Gillette and Hicks…a pair of clowns.
I might know that Charles II is the answer
to the Trivial Pursuits question – doesn’t mean that I was born in his time – though it strikes me he was quite a fun person to know.
Forget the cheerleaders ???
…have you lost your MIND ? :-D
More like Steelers / Ravens these days. Steelers / Pats is big, too, because both have won a lot of Superbowls recently.
Have to add the Vikings in with the Bears and Packers – that’s a big three way rivalry.
The whole NFC East is a traditional rivalry – Cowgirls, Giants, Iggles, and Redskins.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Did you know that the
Packers and Steelers don’t have cheerleaders? First Superbowl which both teams are cheerleaderless……:(
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
Wendy...Cart girls and cheer leaders
have to be very cute and curv-a-shus….It’s like the muslems talling the su-a-side bombers they’re going to get 72 virgins….First, they probably couldn’t find 72 virgins…Second…most of their women have heavier beards than the men….That brings us back to no cheerleaders….Most of the women from Steeler Town, are butt ugly….There, I said it when no one else had the guts….Because I lived in Wisconsin at one time, I don’t think the women are as ugly, so much as they resemble Small tanks….Very solidly built if you get my drift…They wouldn’t look to good in those short outfits….STUB
STUB
I knew neither team had cheerleaders…maybe Dallas will rent their squad to the NFL :-)
Didn’t the Cowboys start the Cheerleader thing in the 70’s ?
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
I think the Packers used to have Cheerleaders.....
but cut them out after 2 of them froze solid on the sideline…..:) Don’t know if the Cowboys started it, but they definitely took it to the “strip joint” girls level. Did you know Jerry Jones invented Cleavage…..or was that Al Gore??
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
Cleavage......and they can sing too!!....:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
American Football needs cheerleaders like that
the action is so broken up with intervals there needs to be something stopping the crowds falling asleep :)
Oh Easy......don't even go there.....
Soccer…..90 minutes of running up and down the field accomplishing nothing, except for the 10 second spurt where someone actually scores…….yeah….real exciting…..Yawn…….:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
Do they have cheerleaders like the ones above??
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
I know the Superbowl is a national holiday and all that but...
4 hours is a long time for a game that is played for 60 minutes.
Easy....you've gone to meddling again!!
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
Lakers-Celtics
would be the biggest in my mind in the US. Their success is so far ahead of the rest.
that’s an interesting choice for a rivalry. They only play each other twice a season in an 82 game schedule. And the only time they face each other in the playoffs is in the finals – but they have a lot of history of great championship series’ – so people really get polarized over them.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Agreed.
Together, they have won a 3rd of all the titles..and the lakers have been in half of them. One thing is certain, they hate eachother.
I meant between Packers & Steelers
Think I’ll have to go with Steelers – possibly twinned with Sheffield ;o)
Pulling for the Packers here since they knocked off the Falcons – but mostly pulling for a good game. I saw a stat that some huge percentage of games that were picked to be close by Vegas ended up being decided by more than 17 points. This is a 2.5 or 3 point game.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
I took the Packers by 3.........
which means the Steelers will win by 20…….:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS...until February 6th....get over it!....WHO DAT!......:)
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Have a golf story tip? Contact editor Charles Boyer and he will follow the story! Thanks!
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
