"Twenty-three Europeans entered the first stage of Q-School. That number should concern O’Grady."

Alistair Tait looked over the PGA Tour Q-School scores and entries and noticed a surprising number of Europeans. Whether it's a statement about the future or an urgency precipitated by the elimination of Q-School as a direct path to the PGA Tour remains to be seen.

Tait said the young Euros might think twice before abandoning their home tour if getting to play matters to them.

With the majors and World Golf Championships counting toward the required 13 tournaments needed to fulfill membership requirements, O’Grady can count on them playing at least six additional events in Europe to meet the requirement. The Ryder and Presidents cup will count toward the membership requirement in 2013, making it even easier for European stars to remain members of both tours.

The same can’t be said for the younger European talent trying for PGA Tour cards. If they earn cards, they probably won’t have the luxury of playing in the majors and WGC events.

Given how difficult it is to play two tours, it means they will have to choose between one and the other. Rest assured that if Wattel and Co. get PGA Tour cards, then their appearances in Europe would become non-existent until they break into the world top 50.