The controversy surrounding the non-appearance of Europe’s top start at last week’s Seve Trophy was the main topic of discussion at a Players Committee meeting held on the eve of the Portugal Masters

While the future of the Seve Trophy is not certain the committee asked George O’Grady, CEO of the Tour, to speak with Europe’s PGA Tour based stars with the assurance of getting them to play more in their ‘home’ events.

Paul McGinley confirms Tour will lean on players to compete more at ‘home’. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

The move comes after nine of Europe’s PGA Tour based stats, including eight members of last year’s victorious Ryder Cup team elected not to compete last week at St.Nom-la-Breteche in France.

“There was a lot of talk about trying to get our top players to play more in Europe including playing in their home events,” said committee member Paul McGinley.

“What would the Irish Open be without Rory and the Irish Open has been a success every year because Rory plays, and it was a success every year when Padraig played as the top Irish player.

“So it will be George O’Grady’s job as Chief Executive of the Tour to now deal with all of this and negotiate with our top players to get them to play their home events.”

McGinley was commenting after posting a level par 71 on day one of the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura and before being taken off for a random drugs test as the Tour had been doing all day with a number of competitors.

“Now, wouldn’t that be a great story for you if the Ryder Cup Captain failed the drugs test,” joked McGinley.