LONDON: A new and lucrative World Golf Series is in the pipeline that could potentially shake up the sport’s global landscape with prize funds that dwarf the purses currently available on the established PGA and European Tours.
Reuters confirmed that British-based company World Golf Group has been planning on introducing a global tour that will feature huge prize money to attract the big names.
Details are not yet clear, but initial plans include a 15-20 event schedule around the world, each with a purse of close to $20 million.
This money dwarfs what is available on the PGA and European Tours, with the richest event – The Masters – offering $11 million.
However, there are some hurdles to overcome. For one, the series would have to get sanctioned for world ranking points. These are important, as many player contracts are dependant on these points. The rankings also determine players’ eligibility for the four major championships, the end-goal of many on tour.
"Every players deal is centred around world ranking points," leading British agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, who is aware of the proposed World Golf Series, told Reuters.
In the early 1990’s, Australian legend Greg Norman teamed up with FOX and proposed a similar World Golf Tour. Then, the PGA Tour played hardball, saying it would suspend any player who participated in an unsanctioned PGA event.
There’s no reason to suggest the world’s leading golf association would do anything different in 2018.
"The critical figure could be Tiger Woods," Chandler said of the 42-year-old American former world number one, who remains the game's most marketable figure, to Reuters.
But Woods, a decade after winning his 14th and last major title, has off-course income of about €42.5m, so the prize money from the World Golf Series is unlikely to be enough on its own to entice him.
As the end of his playing days looms, Woods can also look forward to receiving millions from his PGA Tour retirement plan, another reason not to rock the boat.
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