European Tour Wants Answer On England's World Match Play

I'd love to know what exactly prompted European Tour chief executive George O'Grady to issue a public plea to the Volvo World Match Play brass to make a decision on their 2014 venue.

But as James Corrigan reports, the likelihood of a return to England, combined with the Hoylake Open Championship this year means there will be three English events. Not so great for the players who will be taxed but a welcome return to the match play's place on the autumn UK sports calendar.

“We have done all we can to ensure the Volvo World Match Play is in England this year and we hope that Volvo and IMG [the promoters] come to a decision soon,” O’Grady said.

With the Irish Open on the verge of announcing a title sponsor (for three years it has been funded by the Tour and the Irish Tourist board) the prospects are looking up for the Tour.

At the “European Tour Player of the Year” lunch in London on Tuesday, O’Grady admitted that it had been “a difficult year” – what with a racial controversy involving Sergio García, as well as players’ dissension about the format of the season-ending “Final Series”, and, of course, the continued economic downturn in Europe – but he was keen to stress the positives.