Justin Rose resigns European Tour membership
It was revealed on Thursday, October 7, that Justin Rose had resigned his European Tour membership.
The 30-year-old has been forced into making the decision after he was unable to compete in enough tournaments to keep his card due to a wrist injury.
The Englishman, who was just outside of the world’s top 50 at the start of the season, has only played in three European Tour events this year and, with just seven more to go, he will not be able to take part in the 12 tournaments required to keep his card.
Rose is now concentrating on keeping his schedule light with the aim of being fully fit for the 2011 season.
Fortunately, he is unlikely to be handed the two-year ban on a return to the Tour after holding talks with officials.
Regulations state that any player who does not play in the required number of events to retain their card 'shall not be eligible for reinstatement to European Tour membership without the written permission of the chief executive until the lapse of 24 calendar
months'.
'Started year in difficult position'
Keith Waters, the Tour’s chief executive, has revealed that the Tour has taken a more sensitive approach to Rose’s situation.
He told reporters that, "We've been discussing the situation with Justin for months and months as you can imagine. He started the year in a difficult position outside the world's top 50 and [had] not qualified for the world championships or majors. He resigned
with a view to rejoining next season and then playing 12-plus counting events.”
Rose has been removed from the Race to Dubai money list and will not be able to take part in the Dubai World Championship next month. However, he is still scheduled to participate in the HSBC Champions event — which is part of the World Golf Championship
series — in Shanghai in December alongside Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Despite not making the cut in any of this year’s majors and failing to make Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team, Rose has had a strong season, which has seen him win twice on the PGA Tour and has risen to 23rd in the latest rankings.
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