Pelley's First Move: No Euro Tour Sanctioning Of WGC Bridgestone
/New European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley is off and running at headquarters in a move somewhat expected but still refreshing to see in the swiftness of the decision/announcement: pulling European Tour sanctioning of the 2016 WGC Bridgestone because the Olympic-year edition conflicts with the Alstom Open de France (the French).
The event is one of the tour's oldest and most important, as it leads into The Open and is played at the 2018 Ryder Cup site, Le Golf National.
Here is the full release. From the text:
“The Alstom Open de France has been a staple on our Tour since 1972 and we are confident that next year’s event, with an increased prize fund alongside the current renovations to the golf course, will properly reflect the importance of the tournament alongside the 100th anniversary celebrations.”
The WGC Bridgestone moves to June 27-July 3rd in 2016 due to the Olympic Games in Rio's schedule-wreaking havoc.
**The PGA Tour issued a statement, so the lack of a joint initial statement would seem to suggest this wasn't a pleasant negotiation.
"Several events were impacted and while we have had numerous conversations with the European Tour with respect to the scheduling of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, we were ultimately unable to find a solution that satisfied all parties. We look forward to staging a successful Bridgestone Invitational in 2016."
