TE AL N A B W O L A G R D E S H • T • E 0 ST 9 A 19 GARY GALYEAN’S BLISHED ® GOLF LETTER ® t h e i n s i d e r e p o r t o n w o r l d g o l f NUMBER 321 OUR 29th YEAR DECEMBER 2018 Dear Subscriber: studied it forensically and, yes, the P.G.A. Championship moving changed things. We have a very strong schedule hile the weight of the world’s 2019 professional early [in 2019] and then we have a number of really good competition will predictably and perfunctorily W events during the strength of the American majors. But remain in the United States, controversy and confusion when you look at those and three World Golf Cham- will be owned by Great Britain and Europe due to tourna- pionships (W.G.C.), it is difficult for the top players to ment scheduling changes that have rendered the European come back for one week [for the British Masters]. So I’m Tour calendar, at some intervals, less not sure competing in that period is than appealing to the world’s best a wise way for [the European tour] players. INSIDE THIS ISSUE to spend our money and our efforts. Obviously, winning money and I am not sure we would get top collecting endorsements are the play- 2019 Scheduling Upset player participation.” ers’ professional goals. Just like the Rules & Architecture P.G.A. [2010], U.S. Open rest of most secular and political Helmets for Golfers [2014] and Players Champion pursuits these days, it’s all about the [2014] Martin Kaymer assessed dough. So the best players will follow the situation with this comment. the money wherever it may lead. “The new P.G.A. Tour schedule is going to have a huge The scheduling mismatch was caused by the reversal influence on the European Tour from February until of dates for the American and European P.G.A. Cham- June. The tournaments [in Europe] are very low on pionships. The [U.S.] P.G.A. Championship moved to world ranking points and prize money. So, if you have May 16-19 from its traditional August date; and therefore the chance to play on the P.G.A. Tour, why would you by necessity, the BMW P.G.A. Championship at Went- play in Europe? I can spend three or four months in the worth, the European Tour’s flagship tournament, moved States. Then I can play in the Rolex Series events [in from its customary May date to September 11-22. Europe] after the U.S. Open in the run up to the Open Championship. While this may seem simple enough, the primary opportunities worldwide for those seeking prize money and fame appear between the Masters Tournament in April and the U.S. Open in June. Following the Masters, HOLIDAY GIFT RATES there is little reason for the top players to return to the Substantial savings on gifts from subscribers. European Tour for the Hassan Trophee in Morocco, the China Open, back to England for the British Masters and ONE Gift Subscription $75 (a $13 savings) then to Bethpage for the P.G.A. Championship. Between TWO Gift Subscriptions $145 (a $31 savings) March and June, professional tournaments of any signifi- THREE Gift Subscriptions $191 (a $73 savings) cance only take place in the U.S. [see table on next page]. Subscribers who sent gifts in years past have received a “We know the challenges with the global calendar,” separate notice detailing their last year’s gifts. European Tour C.E.O. Keith Pelley said recently. “We’ve See detailed enclosure. Published Monthly • Subscription Rate US $88 Per Year www.thegolfetter.com • 18 XII 1p “That will mean much less crossing the Atlantic. Masters. “Right now, [my European participation] is It just makes sense to stay in America until the end of all sort of up in the air, but if it were to be that I don’t the U.S. Open when there is (sic) only three or four fulfill my membership next year [four European tour ap- weeks between the biggest pearances], it’s not a Ryder events from the Players 2019 North American & European Tour Cup year, so it’s not the [Championship] all the end of the world. I am al- way through the majors. Men’s Foremost Tour Stops ways going to want to play It would make no sense to the Ryder Cup, so if [losing go back to Europe, which Jan 16-19 Abu Dhabi Championship my European Tour mem- is a shame for the events Jan 24-27 Dubai Desert Classic bership] does happen [in there.” 2019] so be it, and I will Jan 31-Feb 3 Saudi International try and make the Ryder During the weeks to Feb 7-10 Pebble Beach Pro-Am Cup team the year after.” which Mr. Kaymer refers, the following notable tour- Feb 21-24 WGC Mexico Championship Mr. McIlroy’s decision naments will be played in Feb 28 Mar 3 Oman Open is further complicated by North America: a rule passed by the Euro- Mar 7-10 Bay Hill pean Tour last year. In an • W.G.C.-Mexico Mar 7-10 Qatar Masters effort to keep their better Championship Mar 14-17 Te Players Championship players playing on the Eu- • The Players ropean Tour, they stipu- Championship Mar 27-30 WGC Dell Match Play lated that any player fail- • W.G.C.-Dell Apr 11-14 Masters Tournament ing to play the minimum number of tournaments or Championship Apr 18-21 Harbor Town • Masters Tournament declining European Tour Apr 25-28 Trophee Hassan II [Morocco] membership in any year • P.G.A. Championship May 2-5 China Open can never be a Ryder Cup • Canadian Open captain or vice captain. May 9-12 British Masters • U.S. Open Obviously the rule can be May 16-19 P.G.A. Championship reversed as easily as it was Mr. Pelley said that the May 30-Jun 2 Te Memorial implemented. Mr. McIl- European Tour considered roy’s turn at the captaincy moving one of their eight Jun 6-9 Canadian Open is roughly 20 years in the Rolex series events [$7 mil- Jun 13-16 U.S. Open future. lion purse] into that time July 4-7 Irish Open frame but after receiving A further example of players’ reaction decided July 11-14 Scottish Open money running the show is that eight of the fourteen against the move. “So, we Jul 18-21 Open Championship have to look at the four ar- 2019 notable European eas of our schedule that are Aug 22-25 Tour Championship Tour championships [see strong,” Mr. Pelley said. Sept 19-22 P.G.A. [Europe] Championship the table to the left] have non-European names and “That is (sic) the beginning Sept 26-29 Dunhill of the year, the period pri- locations: Abu Dhabi, or to the Open Champion- Nov 21-24 World Tour Championship Dubai x 2, Saudi, Oman, ship, immediately after the [Road to Dubai] Qatar, Morocco and FedEx Cup and at the end China. of our season.” Equally rummy, the Australian Open is now the Mr. Kaymer’s take was simple, “There will be Ameri- Emirates Australian Open and this year was played at the can players who will think, ‘Why should we come over same time as the World Tour Championship in Dubai. [to Europe] when we play for $7 million every week Geoff Ogilvy, who won the U.S. Open in 2006 and the anyway?’” Australian Open in 2010, made this comment about his home championship. “I hate to say this, but the Aus- No player makes the dilemma more obvious than tralian Open feels like a second-rate tournament now,” Rory McIlroy, whose primary 2019 goal is winning the he said. “I’m sure it is run in the same way it was 30 THE GOLF LETTER® • 18 XII 2p years ago, but tournaments elsewhere have progressed so sanctioned increase in golf’s ball and implement perfor- much, and the differences show.” It must be said that his mances that have allowed the demeaning of the many interests and aesthetics as a professional golfer are prob- great courses. ably different from yours. While Te R&A and the U.S.G.A. hold their cards, Further aside but not too far, it has been reported ponderings and opinions close to their vests, there is that Tiger Woods has declined to play in January’s Saudi some opinion, among those who may have an inkling, International despite a $3 million appearance fee. that there is agreement that at least the ball should be dialed back. Tere is a diference, however, in how that Further still aside but in the same pecuniary and ethi- decision should be implemented. cal arena is the reimbursement to U.S.G.A. Executive Committee (XCom) members of their expenses as related Te R&A, it is suspected, is in favor of reducing to their work on behalf of the U.S.G.A. For more than how far the ball travels for all golfers without equivoca- a century, XCom members tion. Te U.S.G.A., wary of paid their own expenses as their authority should it be a way of acknowledging the challenged in court, favors amateur foundation of the restricting the ball under a association. Everything - air local rule that can or cannot travel, room, board, and a be invoked depending on lengthy amount of time at circumstances.