European Tour CEO Keith Pelley will host the first press conference at next week’s DP World Tour Championship.
And it’s quite clear what Pelley will announce and that is changes to the rules affecting those Europeans based in the States.
Our colleague and friend Will Gray of The Golf Channel reports minimum starts and global eligibility requirements have gained traction in recent weeks, from Martin Kaymer losing PGA Tour status to Ian Poulter having to add the UBS Hong Kong Open to his schedule if he’s to play in next year’s Ryder Cup.
Pelley will announce next Tuesday that new rules will mean swapping a minimum of 13 events that included the majors and WGC events for a new minimum of five starts outside those limited-field tournaments.
New European Tour membership rules to be announced next Tuesday will help the likes of Scotland’s Russell Knox.
The change won’t impact players like Rory McIlroy or Justin Rose, but it will for the likes of Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey and new WGC – HSBC Champion Russell Knox.
“It takes pressure off a guy like me,” McDowell said before shooting a four under par 67 on day one of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico.
“If the worst-case scenario happens and I’m not back in the top 50 by the middle of next year, I’m going to have some serious number problems in Europe.”
The rule change could also make it easier for U.S.-based players to qualify for the European Ryder Cup squad. That group now includes Russell Knox, who rose to No. 31 in the world with his breakthrough win at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Unlike McDowell, Knox is now assured of spots in all of the biggest events next year, and he plans to sit down with his agent next week at his home in Florida to iron out his upcoming schedule – one that could pave the way to a Ryder Cup berth that seemed improbable only a few days ago.
“It looks promising now that I will join (the European Tour),” Knox said. “I’d be stupid not to pursue it. I look forward to giving it a crack.”
McDowell has been a stalwart on recent Ryder Cup teams, and he hopes to again represent Europe at Hazeltine next fall. But with his home in Florida, the Ulsterman said his priority lies with retaining his PGA Tour status, which is not guaranteed beyond this season.
“My playing privileges on this side of the Atlantic are more important to me than my playing privileges on the European Tour, simply because when you boil it all down and look at it from a purely monetary point of view, I want to be employed in the best possible job I can,” he said.
“The European Tour means a lot to me. I’m very proud of it, I’m very loyal to it. The Ryder Cup is really important to me. But making a living is what it’s all about.”
