PGA Tour plans spell trouble for Australian golf tournaments

The PGA Tour is planning to make a full year out of their golf tour, meaning less chance of players coming to play in Australia.

Ben Everill reported today that the PGA Tour is planning a revamp of its season and qualifying school system. The changes would see tournaments played throughout the last three months of the year which directly clash with Australian golf tournaments, such as the Australian Open and Australian Masters.

Everill reports;

“With the high likelihood of extra US-sanctioned events being added in Asia, potentially in direct competition to Australia’s triple crown, the depth of fields could be ripped apart.

While the likes of Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy may still choose country over money, fringe tour players such as Australian Open champion Greg Chalmers would be risking a lot to forgo tournaments on the US Tour.

And other American players are less likely to be wooed by Australian tournament officials, even with appearance fees, if they can play for US PGA Tour money and points elsewhere.”

Players were made aware of the potential changes at the mandatory PGA Tour player’s meeting at Torrey Pines this week and as Stephenie Wei reported, many players aren’t happy.

“…the players and media have been hearing blasphemous talk about the powers-that-be devising a plan to kill off Q-school and replace it with a three-event series consisting of the top players from the Nationwide Tour, the PGA Tour’s developmental circuit (which is in need of a new title sponsor since Nationwide Insurance is in the final year of its contract).”

The proposed changes include transforming the six round Q-School into a three tournament playoff for PGA Tour card’s. The events would include a mix of the top Nationwide Tour players as well as PGA Tour players who missed out on retaining their cards.

On the back of the best summer of tournament golf held in Australia for a very long time, it would be a huge shame to miss out on a chance to maintain the momentum. Stay tuned.

One thought on “PGA Tour plans spell trouble for Australian golf tournaments

  • The “Monopoly” of the U.S PGA Tour has been squeezing the “Life Blood” out of Australian Golf & (for that matter) most other Golf Tours for Years now. The U.S want a Global Economy & Level Playing Field when it suits their endevours, but aren’t willing to share when it comes to Golf. Greg Norman campaigned long and hard to try & get a “World Golf Tour” (for the betterment of World Golf) and he was Crucified for it. Ross Baker

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *