Rory talks about quitting the European Tour

[saevel25]

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/eye-on-golf/25329575/is-rory-mcilroy-about-to-change-the-way-ryder-cups-are-played

I do know that if I said, ‘look I don't want to play the European Tour, or at least not be a member any more', then the Ryder Cup rules would change,” McIlroy said. “I understand that and it might help out a few of the other guys over there. But I don't want to put the European Tour in that sort of position, because I owe a great deal to them."

He also brought up Casey.

“Paul has a young family, his life is in America, in Arizona, and I would have no problem at all with whatever decision he makes,” McIlroy said, “It would obviously make our Ryder Cup weaker, especially when he's in this sort of form. But if Paul says the Ryder Cup doesn't mean as much to him as his family, then more clout to him. It's a dilemma a lot of the guys are dealing with. A few years down the line, if I had a family in the States, I'd have to strongly consider it, too. To be honest, there have been times when I have contemplated not playing on the European Tour, already.”

Rory was talking about how Paul Casey has decided to not play the European Tour. Primarily because his family lives in Arizona and the travel is just very hard for that. I get that and respect his wishes to be more a family guy. I find it interesting that Rory has thought about not playing the European Tour. I didn't know the Ryder Cup required you to be on the European Tour to be selected. With today's golfers living in the US, primarily in Florida. I wonder if they would ever change that rule. I always thought the Ryder Cup was just Europe versus USA in golf. I didn't think they made it such a European Tour versus USA in golf. 
 

[SavvySwede]

The European Tour needs some incentive to keep their top talent from chasing after PGA Tour money, they are a business after all. If Rory does give up his card I don't think they will change the rule right away. Golf's governing bodies don't like to make changes until the public has been long frustrated with them. Rory will miss at least one Ryder Cup if he decides to drop.

[trey3d]

All I know is that the PGA Tour is what Everyone strives for. 

[jbishop15]

Like Vince said, I get why they would require you to play the European Tour to play the Ryder Cup. But it's also unfair to the players who want to reduce travel and spend more time with their families. You have to play a lot of tournaments to stay on top of both. Meanwhile, it benefits non-British/Irish players while favoring everyone else. There is a reason that the best players try to reduce their tournaments to the bare minimum. 

[garush34]

I could see the rule changing after a few years if this happened. I think the only way it would change right away if a few of the big names do it. Imaging if McIlroy, Poulter, Garcia and Rose all dropped their playing rights the team would not be as strong and Europe would have no change against America's best. Something would need to be done.

I can't see that happening mind, and I don't think any of them would actually give up their membership but maybe the European tour should look at doing something with the required amount of starts.

[pumaAttack]

Couldn't the top 10 be based off points accrued in the European Tour and then the two captains picks can be anyone, regardless if they played on the European tour?

That would allow players to not play the tour but take the gamble if they get the captains pick or not.

[ncarlsongolf]

I think both should be based on World Rankings.  That would solve the dilemma altogether.   You should not have to participate in certain events, you just have to be at the pinnacle of your sport.  I think guys born in Europe who have graduated to the PGA tour and are playing on the highest level should not be penalized for playing a certain tour.  It should be based on World ranking points. Done.

[natureboy]

I think he would still want to do both...if the Euro tour tournament req't for membership was lowered. I think he realizes how much the total number of events and travel takes out of him in terms of success at tournaments on either tour and especially energy for the majors. The big money & prestige is on the PGA tour.

My thought would be they could grant a number of exemptions (within reason) by some % of required events on a sliding scale related to a player's world ranking. If you make it up around top 10 you earn enough exemption points to play significantly fewer events on the Euro tour to retain membership. You lose a bit of form - you have to choose which tour to stick with or play the dual requirement.

The way I see it an international golf star (and a strong Euro Ryder cup squad) helps both tours and the golf industry in general. But I can understand they want some reasonable level of participation by top stars to ensure they don't slide to become too 'junior' a circuit to the PGA tour.

 

@ncarlsongolf I agree, but one of the challenges is that the OWGR are a bit skewed toward international players at least below top 20.

Edited October 12, 2015 by natureboy

[ncarlsongolf]

 

 

@ncarlsongolf I agree, but one of the challenges is that the OWGR are a bit skewed toward international players at least below top 20.

But, if they are skewed for the entire European team then it would't matter right?  I'm just spitballing here, but if they are skewed American to European, and all the Euros are skewed then it should be fair in still ranking and finding the top 10 players for their team.

[Scotsclaff]

Let the captains pick the whole team.

They will know who's on form and who isn't when the time comes.

[natureboy]

But, if they are skewed for the entire European team then it would't matter right?  I'm just spitballing here, but if they are skewed American to European, and all the Euros are skewed then it should be fair in still ranking and finding the top 10 players for their team.

D'oh! I didn't think that potential problem through fully...so it could work.

I would bet that flexibility of even a 'few' tournaments would make a difference to the top players with extensive demands on their time besides just golf. So I would have some kind of ladder where rank 100-51 would be exempt from one required tournament. Rank 50-26 would get 2 exemptions. Rank 25-12 would get 3 exemptions. Rank 11-5 would get 4 exemptions. Rank 4-1 would get 5 exemptions.

Maybe there could be some sort of tithe or buyout required (increasing with more exemptions exercised) to help compensate the tournaments that would feel the players' loss in sponsorships and attendance?