Dual members need to show more loyalty to "home" Tour

It's been awhile since I last posted, but I certainly have been watching and following the European Tour as diligently as ever.  However, I will be posting today for different reasons.  The Tour's new Final Series is made up of four world-class events, over $30 million in prize money, loads of world ranking and Ryder Cup points, and should be supported by every Tour member.  Sadly, this is not the case.  I will admit that the structure of the Final Series needs some adjusting but, as with any new conception, that is to be expected.  The guidelines state that members wishing to play in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (open to the top-60 on the Race to Dubai following this week's Turkish Airlines Open) next week must play two of the three events (BMW Masters, WGC-HSBC Champions, and the Turkish Airlines Open) in order to be eligible for next week's event.  While I disagree with this rule, I find it extremely hard to grasp that players would pass up the opportunity to play in these world-class events.

The players whose comments have attracted attention are Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, Charl Schwartzel, and Ian Poulter (all dual members with the PGA Tour).  PGA Tour members must play 15 events to retain membership (13 events for European Tour membership), but the season in the States ended in early September.  Poulter is the only mentioned player who is going to play all four Final Series events.  Els, Garcia, and Schwartzel only played one event and are, therefore, not eligible for the Tour Championship, even though all are in the top-25 on the Race to Dubai and have met the 13-tournament minimum.  Donald, who played the first two events, is taking a big risk by sitting out this week.  He's 55th on the Race to Dubai and he's only played 12 events.  There is a good possibility that the Englishman might sneak into next week, but I don't know why he would even risk it.  If he were to miss Dubai, he'd have to reapply for membership with the European Tour.  He's not had a good season on either side of the pond and the only reason for not playing must have been the fear of burnout or wanting to see his family.  Essentially, Donald had close to two months off following the PGA Tour season.  There is absolutely no excuse for him not to be playing this week when he's in such a precarious position.  For any player to skip the Tour Championship on a Tour that they are a member of is appalling.

All these players mentioned above have one thing in common: they're PGA Tour players also.  Dual members need to show more loyalty to their "home" Tour.  The majority will play in the Middle East at the start of the year, go back to the US, play the Tour's flagship event (the BMW PGA Championship), go back to the US, play one or two of the national opens in Europe prior to the Open Championship, go back to the US, and then play the Final Series.  It's too easy for players to meet their 13-tournament requirement.  Four majors, four WGCs, and either President's or Ryder Cup or Seve Trophy already knocks off nine events.  That only leaves players to play four "regular" events to meet their minimum.  Throw in three Final Series events and another event and players will have met their minimum.  Too easy if you ask me.

With so many of Europe's top players being dual members, it would be so satisfying for me to see a full-time European Tour player win the Race to Dubai by playing 20-25 events.   Too often dual members don't put enough emphasis on the Race to Dubai until after their PGA Tour seasons are over.  I would love to see the European Tour increase the minimum to 14 or 15 events, but I'm certain some dual members would relinquish their membership if that occurred.  I absolutely love the rule the Tour has instituted for next season which states that members must play at least one event in their home country or, if they don't, have their minimum increased to 15 tournaments for membership that season.  The Nordea Masters (Sweden) should see the strength of its field improve dramatically.  In fact, current Race to Dubai leader and world number three, Henrik Stenson has already committed to the event.  It's a fantastic rule.

So as the complaints of the Final Series continue to make headlines, let's not forget about the golf being played in Turkey and next week in Dubai.  There is so much to play for.  And someone will be able to have the prestigious distinction of being named European #1.