Adam Scott believes a proposed world golf tour will go ahead if the big money concept gathers enough support from the sport’s biggest names.
British-based World Golf Group (WGG) recently announced plans to launch Premier Golf League (PGL) in 2022, which is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabian financiers.
WGG says the lucrative league would feature the top 48 golfers playing 18 tournaments a year, each with a prize purse of $US10 million ($A15 million).
Ten of the events would be in the United States, while organisers have targeted the Australian Open as one of eight overseas tournaments they want to acquire.
Former Masters winner Scott admits the world league may not benefit established circuits, such as the US PGA Tour or the European Tour, but will ultimately improve the sport.
“I think it could work, but ultimately all these things need the players’ support,” Scott told AAP on Friday.
If they can get all the (top 48) players, I think it will work and it will be a positive thing for golf.”
The PGL has already caused concern among the European and PGA tours, with US commissioner Jay Monahan addressing the rival circuit in a meeting with players last week at California’s Torrey Pines course.
US PGA Tour players must seek a “release” from the commissioner each time they want to play an event outside their home tour and are unlikely to be given 18.
“I don’t see it making the other tours stronger,” Scott said. “If the top 50 golfers are playing world tour, then they are probably not playing the PGA Tour or the European Tour.
“But in the big picture, I think (fans will enjoy) watching the top golfers play all the time.”
Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson is believed to have some involvement with the world tour and played with backers of the PGL on Wednesday in the pro-am of the European Tour’s Saudi International tournament.
Several star golfers have suggested the concept will only work with the support of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods.
But Scott says that is only correct in the short term.
He backed four-time major winner Rory McIlroy to carry the world league if it was to go ahead.
“Kind of,” said Scott when asked if the PGL needed Woods. “Yes, he has just won a major championship. He is one of the best players in the world and, of course he, is Tiger Woods and he is very relevant right now. But how long does that last for?
“This tour isn’t just about the next three or five years. Thinking big picture, I feel some people, especially like Rory McIlroy, could be incredibly influential in this.”
Meanwhile, Scott will make his competitive return at next month’s Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods, having rested since winning the Australian PGA Championship in December.
Scott will make several tweaks to his golf schedule for 2020, including adding the World Golf Championships event in Mexico in February.
For the first time since 2016, he will also tee up at the WGC-Match Play in Austin, Texas in March for his last competitive event before Augusta National.
-AAP
The post Golf: Adam Scott says world tour will work if big names sign appeared first on The New Daily.
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