Ohio Golf Journal March 2020

AWorld Tour that was comprised of exclusive events in Europe, Asia, and the United States, could easily be arranged from existing tournaments. It would not only help boost mid-level PGA Tour events, but also increase the value of the European Tour. Excluding the four majors and the four World Golf Championships, the 18 events that could make up a World Tour could be: THE PLAYERS, the C.J. Cup, the Zozo Championship, the Genesis Championship, the Palmer Invitational, the Memorial, the Farmers Insurance, the Northern Trust Championship, the BMW, the Tour Championship, plus the European Tour’s eight Rolex Series events. They would offer $10 million purses and require ranking inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) to qualify for entry, or in the case of the three FedEx Cup Playoff events, their current qualification process could remain intact. To keep the competitions fresh an annual qualification process could be included. The top 30 each year would be safe and exempt for the following year. The bottom 18 would be required to qualify, or gain entry via a season-long rankings on either the European, or PGA Tour. With only the top players invited, television ratings, the life blood of professional golf, would be increased. Sponsors wanting the extra exposure could be easily enticed to pony up the extra dollars to fund the increased purses and everyone comes away happier and richer. Show Me The MONEY!! For years, American players have accepted huge appearance fees to travel abroad for the occasional European Tour event. This practice has recently been proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, by several of the world’s top players, including No. 1, Brooks Koepka and No. 2, Dustin Johnson showing up in Saudi Arabia rather than the Waste Management Phoenix Open. With large purses, and only the best players from around the world, a World Tour could re- energize professional golf and bring more fans to the game. Maybe Greg Norman’s idea of a world golf tour, that was quickly shot down in the 80’s, will finally come to fruition Listen to the full discussion on the February 11, 2020 edition of the Back 9 Report: https:// bit.ly/2UKJzf1 Watch a video of our discussion: Ohio Golf Journal