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Matt Fitzpatrick has come out to raise concerns over the DP World Tour and its position in the golf world. Expressing fear about the diminishing importance of the European series, the Englishman stated that it was "definitely going to become a feeder tour" for the PGA Tour.
Fitzpatrick was addressing the American circuit’s strategic alliance with the European tour when he said that the series might take a step back from being a major series. The 28-year-old echoed the thoughts of Lee Westwood and Richard Bland, as he stated that the PGA Tour was more focused on fending off threats from LIV than working with the DP World Tour.
Expressing his concerns about the DP World Tour on the Foreplay podcast, Matt Fitzpatrick said:
“I’ll be honest, there is definite sadness. I don’t think the Strategic Alliance has been that useful… I don’t feel like there’s been enough help given to Europe. Whether it’s money, whether it’s starts for players, it’s definitely going to become a feeder tour.”
It is pertinent to note that the PGA Tour has made big changes to fend off the threat of LIV Golf, becoming larger than ever. The series also announced new designated events from 2024, held in smaller fields with no cuts. These changes are eventually set to increase the gap between the PGA Tour and other circuits in terms of popularity, including the DP World Tour.
Fitzpatrick addressed these changes and said that the Strategic Alliance in place was for the use of only one party involved. The US Open champion, who also raised doubts about the benefits of the top 10 players on the DP World Tour, said that the current system was "disappointing."
He said:
“Like everyone said, it’s the 10 best guys that don’t have a card in Europe this year that will come and play in America. That’s disappointing. European guys that play on the European Tour that have a commitment that they’ll play January to August, 22 events or whatever it is.”
He added:
“The season will end and then it’s like, ‘God, I feel obligated to go play in Europe now, there’s 2, 3 or 4 events there so I’ll go and play those’ and before you know it, your off season is done in November… I just think the Strategic Alliance isn’t what it’s made out to be.”
PGA Tour faces backlash from LIV Golf over recent changes
The recent changes announced by the PGA Tour have come under the scrutiny of LIV Golf and its players. Ian Poulter was one name that came out to slam the American circuit for 'imitating' the rebel series. Mocking the proposed changes in the PGA Tour, Poulter said that they sounded "somewhat familiar."
Ian Poulter joined the likes of Lee Westwood in ridiculing the PGA changes and said:
"When will the penny drop with so many of what’s actually happened here. Sounds very similar to another product that’s been spoken so badly about by media and commentators. I’m all ears now… Can’t wait to hear all the back tracking of comments from the last 7 months."
It is pertinent to note that the PGA Tour’s proposed changes, including limited field, no cut policy etc., didn’t sit with many fans as well.
