European Tour Exemptions

[Imurg]

Running down the list of players this week in Dutchland, I noticed that Barry Lane and Paul McGinley are playing. They are both in exemption category 9 - Top 40 Career Money list.
Neither would be exempt from the Tournament without this category. Is it fair that, just because a player has had a long career and won a lot of cash, that they should be exempt from Tournaments, taking a place from an otherwise qualifying player?
Lane has won 5 times on Tour and McGinley only 3.

Should the Career Earnings category even exist?

 

[musselburghgolfclub]

I don't think so out with the old in with the new. Players like Montgomerie and co stop new young exciting players and we can't see new guys until the old is out!!!!

Sticks
Driver Nike Ignite 10.5
3 Wood Nike t60 16.5
Hybrid Masters mj560 looking for a new one. Possibly 909 or r9
Irons 5&6 Dunlop Tour, 7-pw Cobra HUMP. Been fitted for g15 or DI11
Wedges 54 Degree Vokey, 58 Degree Vokey both 2009 spin milled
Hcap 22.0 started the year at 27

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Didn't even know that was a category. I can't think of many if any other sports that you get to compete at the top level just because you've won a lot of money in the past. If you're not good enough you're not good enough, give the young guns a chance

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thing is Lane (ex Royal Ascot so possibly biased) competes in a fair chunk of European events and regularly makes the cut so he is still competetive enough

Look at his figures and they bare scrutiny against a newbie who may miss a lot of cuts first season out (Sam Hutsby?)
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=506/index.html

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=506/results/index.html

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Presumably he's only played European tour events because of this exemption though which means he didn't play well enough to gain full exemption last year. And is making the cut really competing?

 

[SammmeBee]

Barry Lane - do you mean the former World Champion of Golf.....??!!

 

[Imurg]

Lane finished 152nd in the RTD last year, Hutsby finished 118th........

If you qualify through winning then there's no issue but qualifying through longevity just doesn't seem right.