Is The European Tour About To Back The Governing Bodies?

James Corrigan seems to think so in this Telegraph story, suggesting that Commissioner George O'Grady has informed the PGA Tour that he will not join their objection to the proposed anchoring ban and will defer to the governing bodies.

Corrigan expects O'Grady to address the matter later this week.

If that's the case, the PGA Tour will be all alone in its defiance of the ban, almost assuredly forcing the PGA Tour to soften its stance.

Comments

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

NIce opportunity for the eureo tour to get one over the pga tour.

Having said that, I think it's probably more the fact there are far fewer people at all levels over here who use these putters so the level of opposition is more likely to be diminished.

[waverunner]

all alone with the PGA and a large (if ineffective) ownership group, the NGCOA

Like the PGA Tour, i would assume it depends on the membership to a degree.

[DTF]

And the LPGA Tour? Where does Whan and his players shake out on the issue? Do they count?

waverunner, don't forget the PGA of America.

[DTF]

Frank Hannigan said:

"In point of fact, the rules-making process is remarkably democratic. There are 5 members of the committee proper drawn from the USGA executive committee. They have no axes to grind. They are influenced and to some extent educated by the USGA staff. Additionally, there are 4 advisory members representing the PGA Tour, the LPGA, the PGA of America and the country's regional golf associations. They matter. I can't conceive of the 5 regular members shoving a rules change down the throats of the advisory people."

So, according to Mr. Hannigan from a decision making perspective there are 5 parties to the situation...

1. USGA - For Ban
2. LPGA - ??
3. Regional Golf Assoc's - ??
4. PGA of America - Against Ban
5. PGA Tour - Against Ban

Will the LPGA stand up and be counted? Can we identify the person that represents the "country's regional golf associations"? Where do they stand?

[Jds]

DTF, I understand you're (or rather Hannigan is) framing on an up or down vote applicable to the U.S., but there has to be some coordination with the R&A first as well, certainly in this instance and likely in any rules change....

[FLGolfer]

DTF,

I think you'll find that the regional golf associations will back the USGA & R&A's decision. They'll probably stay pretty quite on the issue.

[DTF]

Jds, understood and agreed. But haven't they agreed to disagree enforce?

FLGolfer, how do we know this?

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

The PGA Tour/PGA of America on moving towards pariha status.

The lack of buzz elsewhere in the world on this issue is deafening.

Has there been a single peep out of a players' council on any other tour? Has a single European tour player even commented on the ban?

The PGA Tour reminds me of "Special Interest Group Politics" where people constantly whine and lobby and try to make it look like there is more opposition than there really is.

Because of geographic proximity, there is the potential for the PGA Tour to push the USGA around via media pressure. But, what leverage does the PGA Tour have over the R&A? A: Absolutely none.

[Hilltop]

It seems to me that this rules change has been mainly USGA driven, with the R & A in agreement. Can my friends on the other side of the pond comment on this. Has the R & A been as vocal there as the USGA has here in the states?

[Ben]

Finchem is quickly being made to look like the fool in this debate all because he's afraid to take a stance against a few players.

Finchem could care less about the good of the game, he cares about the tournament sponsors and filling the pockets of the players. Not a bad thing, but i don't see any way Finchem holds his ground on the usga. he's came out against the ban so as to make it impossible for the players to label him the bad guy. the guy is president for a reason, he understands politics.

[Steve]

Makes sense that the "European" stance would side more towards a ban. In general those involved with golf in Europe from the players to the spectators are a bit more informed and traditionalists (still a lot of foursome and match play over there compared to here). Here in the US we have the "don't offend" anyone mentality, where we want to include as many as possible and allow for liberal bending of the rules (not just in golf, but in a lot of things). Having played a fair amount of golf all over Europe over the years...the attitudes there are definitely a bit different than here.

[Ghillie]

A BIT? Ya think? In Britain, talking business on a golf course is discouraged and in some cases forbidden, to the point of a member being expelled or a guest being blackballed. If that were true in the US golf would die out in a year.

[BrianS]

I believe I have read that the LPGA has no problem with this proposed rule. If the PGA Tour does try and not comply, they will be pretty much out there on their own, with the possible exception of the PGA Championship. Very awkward.

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Hilltop ... USGA is driving nothing. It is very much a joint venture. No need for the R&A to shout from the rooftops. Thusfar, there are no objections coming from this side of the pond. Hopefully it will stay that way although I did hear a rumour that just to be on the safe side, Peter Dawson had been taped, bound and incarcerated in the deepest bowels of the R&A until 2016!

[DTF]

BrianS, the LPGA definitely has not come out on the issue. ("...we will continue to discuss this proposed change with our players and provide our input and thoughts directly to the USGA and R&A.”)

[DTF]

How does the Euro Tour arrive at their position? Is there a formal process? Do the players have a say? Or does O'Grady just say how it's going to be?