Golf Comment: Race to Dubai schedule is a thorny issue for Tour
THE DUST has settled on the Race to Dubai but debate rages on over the format of the climax to the European Tour season.
Some players object to rules stipulating they can only play in the lucrative DP World Tour Championship if they have taken part in two of the three final series events that precede it.
It’s a thorny issue. On the one hand, I don’t like players having their schedules dictated to them. But on the other, European Tour boss George O’Grady has to appease tournament sponsors, so I can see both sides. Sponsors won’t like players such as Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel and Sergio Garcia missing their tournaments, so George will have to have a look at it.
On the course, it was a fine week for Australia as Jason Day swept the board on home soil at the World Cup. Day not only ensured that he and Adam Scott claimed the team title by 10 shots but also claimed the individual trophy.
It was his first title since 2010, and that’s a long time for a great player who could have won a Major in recent years. Victory was also touching, as Day put the personal tragedy of family bereavement to one side to compete.
I’d like to see the World Cup revert to teams playing as pairs, in fourballs and foursomes. It set the competition aside from normal 72-hole, strokeplay events and, as a spectator, I preferred it like that.
Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer and media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam