“I personally think it’s a disaster” - Eddie Pepperell criticizes DP World Tour's strategy of giving PGA Tour cards and questions its viability

English golfer Eddie Pepperell criticized the DP World Tour's plan to give a PGA Tour card to 10 of their top-ranked players. The DP World Tour and PGA Tour signed a strategic alliance last year and the top 10 players from the European Tour will be allowed to play on the PGA Tour in 2024.

However, Pepperell thinks it is a disaster for the European Tour. In the latest episode of The Chipping Forecast Podcast, he spoke about the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

He mentioned that players have dreams of joining the PGA Tour and it's good for them. However, he personally does not support the strategy.

“I personally think it’s a disaster for the DP World Tour," Eddie Pepperell said. "I can’t think of any good business that tries to not retain its clients, if you like. Just give the best ones away. That makes no sense to me. But from the players' perspective, who all have frankly ambitions to play on the biggest stage, which clearly now is PGA Tour. It’s good for them."

"Because to me, it doesn’t seem sustainable that the tour continues to operate successfully while giving away its best players. But equally, the players feel like it’s a good thing.

"So, I’m afraid I don’t like it at all. And like you say, it’s extremely formal now to the point where next year, or the year after, these players are all going to be falling back into an extremely high category on the DP World Tour anyway. So, there really is no incentive next year for these guys next year to play any tournaments on the DP World Tour other than their minimum events."

Eddie Pepperell last played at the Andalucia Masters and finished in T43 position. He will join the stellar field of the Qatar Masters this week. The tournament is scheduled to start on October 26 and will run through the weekend to have its finale on Sunday, October 29.

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"I am excited at the possibilities" - DP World Tour CEO talks about European Tour players joining PGA Tour

While the strategy of offering top-ranked DP World Tour players PGA Tour cards received criticism from Eddie Pepperell, the DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley showed excitement while announcing the news.

Pelley said:

"Our 'Ten Cards' initiative will give the opportunity for DP World Tour members to excel on the PGA Tour next season and this new membership opportunity announced today will give PGA Tour members the chance to do exactly the same on our tour. I am excited at the possibilities."

Currently, European players Adrian Meronk, Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee, Robert MacIntyre, and Thorbjorn Olesen top the point list and are eligible to earn the PGA Tour card.

Interestingly, a few days back, the DP World Tour offered full membership to the PGA Tour players who fall to hang with the conclusion of the regular Tour season. They offered membership to PGA Tour players who finished between 126-200 in the FedEx Cup standings.