Harrington: ‘core’ tournament plans may damage Euro Tour

TRIPLE major-winning Pádraig Harrington has labelled as “protectionism” any move by the European Tour to introduce a series of core tournaments its members will have to contest to retain automatic membership.

The Tournament Players Committee met last Tuesday night in St Andrews when it discussed the idea of players having to contest four of six ‘core’ tournaments that could include the Irish Open.

At present, members do have to play at least 12 Race to Dubai events from a schedule boasting close to 50 tournaments to remain full Race to Dubai Tour members.