The Race to Dubai

Change happens in life. As people learn, as society moves forward, improvements are made… apparently.  Medically, technologically, sociologically, you name it, time equals progress. Even in sport. Even in golf. The European Tour would appear to be alive to changes that are afoot in the world; as the balance of economic power shifts, golf’s leading body on this side of the Atlantic, has positioned itself to become the global leader of the game.

For the first time since 1971 there’s change – major change. And it has been caused by money, money from the Middle East. The result is we now have The Race to Dubai. Thank you, Mr Sheik.  Financial crisis? Not on this tour. Credit crunch? No idea what you are talking about. Now for the first time the European Tour has joined the big league and it might just outgrow its big brother. So what is this so called race? In short it is the old Order of Merit but with a major financial boost. Over $20 million will be on the table for the top pros at the end of 2009 and one individual could be walking away from the Greg Norman designed Jumeirah Golf Estates with over 3.5million!

So how does this breakdown?

 *A $10 million Dubai World Championship will bring the 2009 season to its climax.

*The winner will take home a whopping $1,666,660

*The winner of the Race to Dubai, to include the new event, will receive a $2m bonus.

*The European Tour will divide a further $10m among the top 15 on the money list.

The global journey which started with the HSBC Champions event will compromise 53 tournaments in 27 different destinations.  Members will qualify for their money list ranking by playing in 12 events, up from 11. Unsurprisingly, the new cash incentive has been met with approval from both the players and the executives. Tour Supremo, George O’Grady said:
 
“The Race to Dubai will take us on a wonderful week by week, tournament by tournament odyssey around the world – creating great drama and theatre for the spectators and generating immense global media coverage” 

For many years now The Tour has become increasingly bigger on the worldwide stage. It may not have the biggest stars week after week but it has become truly worldwide. From Europe, the Middle East, to the Far East and down to Australasia,
The European Tour has attracted some of the best young talent in the game. Indeed three of the current majors are held by two players who cut their teeth this side of the Atlantic. Padraig Harrington is the current Open Champion and US PGA winner whilst Trevor Immelman landed this year’s Masters. Both men have committed to playing at least 12 European Tour events in 2009.  Why? Well, for Harrington, because he is Irish, and despite playing an increasing amount in America, home is still in Ireland. Immelman, a South African, started over here then moved over there, where, he has been playing his trade since 2004 and full time since 2006. Now Trevor has decided the clever thing is to once again start playing a designated number of events on the European Tour -He, and a whole host of others. Take out Tiger Woods, the world number 1, he’s not in. World number 2, Sergio Garcia, is though. Number 3, Phil Mickelson, says not yet but don’t rule me out in the future. World number 4 Vijay Singh is likely to play the 12 needed. Padraig in 5th and current champion Robert Karlsson in 6th are obviously in. But what about Camillo Villegas, world number 7? The Columbian has signed on the dotted line and will play the requisite number of tournaments. Lee Westwood is up to 8th in the world and a stalwart of the European Tour. If Villegas was a shock then so was the news that American young gun Anthony Kim was throwing his hat in the ring. From 9th we got to 10th and yes, Henrik Stenson will be joining in the fun as is current number 11 Ernie Els. Also going to be making a concerted effort for top spot are Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Andres Romero, Luke Donald, plus three men who have all lifted the US Open Championship, Angel Cabrera, two time winner Retief Goosen and Michael Campbell. So is another man from that part of the world, Australian Robert Allenby.
All in all it promises to be a mouth watering season. Leading the way at this early stage is Sergio Garcia after his victory in Shanghai.  The Spaniard is now up to a career high ranking of number two in the world and has thrown his support behind the new venture.
“Everybody I have talked to on both sides of the Atlantic is very positive about this development. The Race to Dubai is great and will take The European Tour and European golf to a new level and where it is supposed to be. We are all very excited and looking forward to seeing how it goes.”
I bet you are, Serge and so are your agent, manager, and bank manager! Credit Crunch?  Not on the European Tour.
- Tom Cates

 

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