StuartD
Tour Rookie
On reading the thread about Sam Hutsby just missing out on retaining his tour card by a few thousand euros it brought one of my gripes about the European Tour Categories for entering an event
Have a look at the entry list, on the official site, for this weeks Abu Dhabi championship and you will see that the challenge tour graduates and Q school qualifiers (of which Sam was one last year) will not be playing as they are ranked in Category 10 and 11 respectively. Those who are ranked cat 8 (kept thier card last year) walk into this event. Looking at some of the names here and you will think that many of them should be ranked no better than some of this years graduates(some of whom have had top 20 finishes in South Africa) already.
It tends to be the bigger purse events, like the Abu Dhabi championship, Qatar Masters, PGA etc that the Graduates miss out on making it an big disadvantage against those who have just managed to keep there cards. It’s hard enough to find your feet on tour without being at a disadvantage like this. I can’t help but feel that this approach may stifle new talent coming through. I have even heard today that Marc Warren has received a late invite. He is a previous tour winner but he LOST his card last year. What right does he have to play before any of this years graduates?
Rant over
Have a look at the entry list, on the official site, for this weeks Abu Dhabi championship and you will see that the challenge tour graduates and Q school qualifiers (of which Sam was one last year) will not be playing as they are ranked in Category 10 and 11 respectively. Those who are ranked cat 8 (kept thier card last year) walk into this event. Looking at some of the names here and you will think that many of them should be ranked no better than some of this years graduates(some of whom have had top 20 finishes in South Africa) already.
It tends to be the bigger purse events, like the Abu Dhabi championship, Qatar Masters, PGA etc that the Graduates miss out on making it an big disadvantage against those who have just managed to keep there cards. It’s hard enough to find your feet on tour without being at a disadvantage like this. I can’t help but feel that this approach may stifle new talent coming through. I have even heard today that Marc Warren has received a late invite. He is a previous tour winner but he LOST his card last year. What right does he have to play before any of this years graduates?
Rant over