European Tour should be worried because of the players moving to US, says Luke Donald
A general trend being observed is that many of the European Tour players have started playing in the US. Luke Donald and Lee Westwood were first of the lot to move to the States to ply their trade.
Most of the top European players play on the PGA Tour already. Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and almost all of the European Ryder Cup players are playing in the US.
After the Ryder Cup, Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and Peter Hanson played in the US to earn their PGA Tour card.
Martin Kaymer and Francesco Molinari have also expressed their desire to play in the States. From next season onwards, only Paul Lawrie will be a dedicated European Ryder Cup player on the European Tour.
Luke Donald, however, feels that this trend will hamper the credibility of the European Tour and something must be done to retain the high profile players on the Tour.
“If I was the European Tour I would be a bit worried, with a lot of the guys suggesting they are going to play their minimum [number of events] in Europe and concentrate mainly on the PGA Tour,” said the world No 3.
He added, “I think that as a top player if you don’t at least try it for a year or two you’re going to have regrets.”
The fact is that Donald is the most valued player after Rory McIlroy. In addition, he himself is playing and living in America since the days of his college.
Donald thinks that playing in the US is easy, instead of Europe, as one does not have to fly to different countries week in and week out.
“Geographically wise it’s easier,” said Donald. “You’re not flying country to country, the tournaments are a lot closer together, and you can travel with your family”.
“It’s a very attractive tour. I’m sure the European Tour are watchful about these guys leaving, but there’s probably not much they can do”.
If the European Tour continues to lose its high profile players, then chances are that it will lose its prized sponsors and that is certainly a negative thing for the tour.
European Tour must expand to engage the interest of the players, just like the PGA Tour does.
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