The European Tour, once a proud cornerstone of global golf, has been slowly transformed in front of our eyes. Its amalgamation with Dubai/Middle East entities and, more recently, the PGA of America, promised mutual benefit. Instead, it buried the European Tour we knew and loved under the banner of the DP World Tour.
Leading this transformation was Keith Pelley, who served as CEO of the European Tour from 2015. Under his tenure, the tour drifted far from its European roots. English players, courses, and fans were left behind as sacrifices on the altar of globalisation.
No personal slight to Pelley—though Guy Kinnings’ appointment as CEO on April 2, 2024, makes one wonder if the writing was on the wall. Perhaps it’s time to move the European Tour’s traditional headquarters from Wentworth to the Middle East or the U.S.—regions that now dominate the tour.
Take a look back at the year 2000. The European Tour was nearing its 50th anniversary. By mid-February, fans could enjoy events on European soil. I attended the Madeira Island Open twice with my dad, and it always made for a memorable trip. As a young golf fan, I had plenty of opportunities to watch the best golfers Europe had to offer.
Highlights of 2000’s European Tour:
17th February: Algarve Portuguese Open
16th March: Madeira Island Open
14th April: Seve Ballesteros Trophy (Sunningdale)
11th May: Benson & Hedges International (The Belfry)
26th May: Volvo PGA Championship (Wentworth)
1st June: English Open (Forest of Arden)
8th June: Wales Open (Celtic Manor)
22nd June: European Grand Prix (Slaley Hall)
12th July: Loch Lomond World Invitational
20th July: The Open (St. Andrews)
10th August: Chandler British Masters (Woburn)
24th August: Scottish PGA Championship (Gleneagles)
5th October: Cisco World Matchplay Championship (Wentworth)
12th October: Alfred Dunhill Cup (St. Andrews)
Events that year started three months earlier than in 2025, with this year’s first tournament on European soil taking place in Belgium on 22nd May. In 2000, Europe was the heart of the tour. Now, the 2024/25 DP World Tour season hosts just 13 events across the continent from the 42 scheduled. Only Scotland and England host more than one event, and in England, fans wait until 21st August—long past the school holidays. For many, the only chance to see golfing idols will be at Wentworth on 11th September, where tickets are scarce and expensive.
The UK hosts just five tournaments in 2025, including The Open. Wales? Forgotten entirely. I used to make the trip with my old man to events such as The Wales Open at Celtic Manor and the Swalec Wales Challenge. Now, there are no Challenge Tour events in England or Wales in 2025. Globally, the Challenge Tour schedules 29 events, often in regions where locals care little for golf.
The Legends Tour offers little solace. While over-50s at least have a tour, Great Britain hosts just three tournaments: Sunningdale Senior Open, one in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland. Wales, again, is left out. Even the Clutch Pro Tour is following the money, with 7 of 19 events now held in the Middle East.
Critics point to money and sponsorship as the root issues, and they’re right. But the UK is the 6th richest economy in the world. Players who became multi-millionaires through the European Tour—or LIV Golf—could step up. Sponsor a Challenge Tour event in England or Wales.
Even Gareth Bale, who famously held the flag saying: “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order”. For someone with a strong influence in the game, it could be aptly used to reignite Wales’ golf legacy by hosting a Welsh golf event; bringing sports stars to the pro-am. As for Guy Kinnings—Wolverhampton-born and Shropshire-educated—the UK should be a priority. Because if nothing is done to stop the decline of professional golf in the UK, it will surely slip further down the world pyramid.
In this era of online streaming and television rights, fans are often overlooked in favour of the highest bidder. I spent holidays travelling across the UK and Europe to watch the European Tour—following my favourite player for 18 holes and soaking in the excitement of a tour event. Without fail, it inspired me, fuelling an undeniable urge to get back on the course and play.
If the DP World Tour continues to remove UK and European events from the schedule, when will the next generation get the chance to experience this? Because let’s be honest—watching on TV is nothing compared to being there in person.
