The Race to Dubai
Last updated: 9th October 2008
The European Tour has unveiled plans for a major revamp of its existing schedule next year with the 'Race to Dubai' replacing the Order of Merit.
It means the European season will now culminate with the Dubai World Championship - the most lucrative tournament in world golf with a total purse of $20 million.
The new-look 'Race to Dubai' will feature a record total of 53 tournaments in some 26 different countries.
The format is similar to the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup series with which it will compete, with the top 60 players from the 'Race to Dubai' standings qualifying for the season's climax at the Dubai World Championship.
The money-spinning opportunities on offer have seen a number of the leading US-based golfers declare an interest in competing.
However, the European Tour have moved to protect their brand by introducing stricter membership rules with players hoping to take part now having to play 12 rather than 11 events - with three of them in continental Europe.
Do you think the new-look 'Race to Dubai' is a good thing for European golf or do you believe the authorities are simply selling out. It's Your View.
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Comments
Christopher Adshead says...
I think this is a great idea not just for the Golfers of the european tour but for the fans to. Us fans are going to be given a great show by our Golfing Heroes as now the pros will have an extra incentive to play harder, Especially to be the first man to win the road to dubai!!!
Posted 15:33 10th October 2008
James Barclay says...
I believe it to be a superb idea - really it's about time the PGA European Tour stopped seeing itself as the 'poor relation' to the Americans and took on board the fact that it is a true World Tour, as envisaged by Greg Norman in the 1990s. The fact that more World Ranking points are available in run-of-the-mill US Tour events will soon change once the big boys play in more European Tour events as these are assessed by the quality of the field, rather than location. Well done George O'Grady and his team for taking the bull by the horns, engaging with the Sheikhs and doing their best for our Tour. Can't wait to see who wins the first one!
Posted 21:02 9th October 2008
Graham Jackson says...
Times change and the European Tour needs to keep expanding and challenging the PGA Tour if it is to prosper. The amounts they will be playing for are mind-boggling, but if it helps the quality and standing of the European game it can't be a bad thing.
Posted 16:08 9th October 2008
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