European golf in rude health but sponsor demands solutions to fractured game
This close relationship between tours on both sides of the Atlantic mutually strengthens their positions, while the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV seeks to make inroads against the golf community.
There was no comment on Kinnings’ move from 54 holes to 72 holes next season. “This is entirely a decision they have to make that is best for themselves,” he said. “I don’t expect them to comment on what we’re doing.”
But a solution still needs to be found if players like Rahm and Hatton are to retain the DPWT membership required to qualify for Ryder Cup teams.
Both are appealing the fines and suspensions imposed since their switch to LIV in 2024.
Kinnings agrees this needs to be resolved.
“It is,” he said. “This is a matter in the hands of the lawyers and therefore it would be wrong for me to comment further on this matter. However, this process is ongoing.”
Van Otterdijk wonders whether both players will be tempted to return to the foundation tours when their LIV contracts expire.
“These guys can decide, look, we made our money on the LIV tour,” he predicted. “We want to go back to do more tours.
“I don’t know exactly how that will happen. That will be the other interesting part. Do they come back, for example through a European tour?
“Right now there’s a barrier to returning to the PGA Tour. They can’t return to that tour.
“But I imagine Guy might look at this and say, we’ll come back from the European tour, win one of the 10 cards and come back that way. Maybe that would be a good way to do it and that would suit us.”
While publicly Kinnings remains understandably cautious and cautious about the future, the promoters after whom his tour is named are more outspoken. Money talks and DP World add a lot to the game.
They believe golf is approaching a critical period. The fragmented nature of men’s professional golf cannot last even when someone as extraordinarily charismatic as McIlroy reigns.
Van Otterdijk brokered the final deal, which provided significant security for Kinnings’ organisation. But DP World’s sponsorship boss wants more and demands unity.
“I think this is the only solution,” he said. “They all see the necessity and benefit of this. But this does not mean that they will get everything the way they want.
“That’s the point, that’s where compromises and compromises have to be made. We have been very open with all three parties we met with.
“Listen to the fans and sponsors because without those two groups you don’t have a product and the players don’t have money to play.
“So I’m sure they will. Three different parties have a vision for the same outcome, but three different ways to get there.”
“That’s the challenge, isn’t it? That’s the challenge to overcome.”
