| Dates: 9-12 March Venue: TPC Sawgrass, Florida |
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The DP World Tour is destined to “turn out to be a feeder” for the PGA Tour, says US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick.
The America-based tour gave its European counterpart greater than £100m as a part of a “strategic alliance” in 2020.
In a bid to strengthen that bond and combat off the specter of LIV Golf, final yr the PGA Tour gave 10 spots to the highest gamers on Europe’s cash record.
“I do not suppose the ‘strategic alliance’ is every little thing it is made out to be,” mentioned England’s Fitzpatrick.
“My greatest gripe is that the PGA Tour is not doing sufficient to assist construct up the DP World Tour.
“I do not really feel like there’s been sufficient assist given to Europe. Whether or not it is cash, whether or not it is begins for gamers, it is positively going to turn out to be a feeder tour.”
Fitzpatrick, who received his first main eventually yr’s US Open, is in Florida this week for the PGA Tour’s flagship $25m (£21m) Gamers Championship occasion at Sawgrass.
Nonetheless, the world quantity 12 seems to be set to overlook the midway reduce after ending his second spherical on three over par.
When questioned concerning the energy of the DP World Tour, the 28-year-old replied: “You have solely received to have a look at the sphere again dwelling, and what number of occasions the highest gamers are going again to play.
“Individuals will say I am a type of who’ve left the European Tour, however I have not. I nonetheless play over there, however the perfect gamers are over right here [in the US] and I must compete in opposition to them as usually as I can.
“I will nonetheless return, however I actually do not know the way usually you are able to do that when it is all geared to taking part in right here.”
And when requested if the thought to present locations on the PGA Tour to the highest 10 gamers not already exempt on the European Tour’s cash record was counter productive, Fitzpatrick mentioned: “Yeah, it provides to the message that you have to play over right here, and it’ll simply make it tougher for the European Tour to get sturdy fields going ahead.
“The Tour appeared to be on path, then Covid got here, and every little thing that has occurred since then has blown it out of the water actually.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan addressed these issues by highlighting the truth that this July’s Scottish Open will once more be collectively sanctioned by each circuits.
Talking to BBC Sport’s Iain Carter, he mentioned: “The alternatives going ahead are important.
“If you take a look at all of our tournaments, that is a real world presence and we’ve a dedication to that tour to seek out methods to create extra alternatives for them.”
