"For any business to rely so heavily on any one client has always been a strategy fraught with risk."

For all of the European gloating over its increased strength at the PGA Tour's expense, John Huggan notes this about the new schedule and Race To Dubai:

There is also the nagging thought that the European Tour – perhaps unavoidably in the present economic climate – is putting an awful lot of eggs into one Arab basket. For any business to rely so heavily on any one client has always been a strategy fraught with risk. But, in O’Grady’s defence, this was a deal to which he could hardly say no. Not only is Leisurecorp directly sponsoring what used to be called the Order of Merit and the season-ending blockbuster, money is also being provided to prop up less fortunate events like the South African Open, and the European Open.

“We will be giving $40m over the next five years,” revealed Spencer. “That’s a good little treasure chest.”