O'Grady open to women's participation
European tour executive director George O’Grady said today the circuit was “not totally against ladies playing by invitation”.
But it needs to be very special circumstances to justify it, he added.
Jean Van de Velde, who last Thursday said he wanted to enter the Women’s British Open because the British Open is allowing women from next year, is pressing for the tour to act as well.
But while O’Grady commented “we don’t see much point in it – it’s just a gimmick” he added: “Our rules allow for it as a sponsor’s invitation and the sponsor can do it if they can convince the tour it’s in the interests of the game, the tournament or the country we’re in.
“It would have to be a very good reason. Michelle Wie, brilliant young lady, playing in Hawaii where she comes from, great local interest, I can see why that would really possibly work.
“Possibly one day there will be a brilliant Spanish girl of 15 from the Canary Islands and they ask if she can play the Canary Islands tournament you can see the tremendous interest that would have.
“Jean has spoken to me about it and we might bring it up, but a load of other players have no problem and it’s not something I want to almost waste time talking about because we have so many positives on the European tour this year.”
Laura Davies played on the tour early last year, but in a co-sanctioned event in Australia at their instigation. Coincidentally, she partnered Van de Velde in finishing next to last.
Meanwhile, O’Grady stated he has not yet had time to digest the implications of Brighton-based Michael Campbell’s Saturday comment that he would be interested in dual citizenship and would then love to play in the Ryder Cup.
The New Zealander, who has had a home in England for 12 years and is of Scottish descent.
“The first I heard of it was yesterday. We’ve got government advisors on the European tour right at the top of the Labour Party and I will ask somebody to study what the residency rules are.
“If he was British of course it’s feasible (playing in the Ryder Cup), but we haven’t addressed it yet.”
