European Tour chief rejects calls to back Royal Trophy
CEO George O'Grady throws his weight behind the rival matchplay EurAsia Cup, citing 'fundamental differences of policy with promoters'
European Tour chief executive George O'Grady has rebuffed calls to back the Royal Trophy team event, citing "fundamental differences of policy with the promoters".
The European Tour has launched a rival matchplay tournament between the players of Europe and Asia, despite the established "Ryder Cup-style" Royal Trophy having recently concluded its seventh edition.
In the wake of Europe's dramatic victory over Asia at Guangzhou's Dragon Lake Golf Club last weekend, triumphant captain Jose Maria Olazabal called on the European Tour to sanction the annual matchplay event that was founded by the late Seve Ballesteros.
O'Grady reiterated his commitment to the EurAsia Cup, which will be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur from March 27-29.
We do not need another Asia versus Europe match involving a maximum of 20 players when we already have a well established Royal Trophy
"Our relations with players from Malaysia, China, India, Thailand, Korea and Japan have been important to us for many years," O'Grady said.
The Royal Trophy is backed by the Japan Golf Tour, the China Golf Association and the OneAsia Tour, which has a bitter rivalry with the Asian Tour.