The European Tour starts its 2018 season this week, well, it sorta begins.
Don’t look for any big name stars at the South African Open. Outside of some golden oldies like Ernie Els, it’s pretty much a lot of guys from the host country playing at the Glendower Golf Club in the City of Ekurhuleni.
What the Euros have is a total conflict of interest this week.
Over in Malaysia they have their answer to the President’s Cup. It’s called the Eurasia Cup and it is so lopsided in strength of the teams it could end up as a total joke.
The European team is packed with stars like winner of the Race To Dubai — Tommy Fleetwood along with Alex Noren, Henrik Stenson, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Paul Casey, Ross Fisher, Tyrrell Hatton and a bunch of other Euro studs.
Conversely, the Asian team is talent-deprived. You have youngster Gavin Green from Australia, the ever-present Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Li Hatong from China. Aphibarnrat is the highest-ranked player teeing it up for the Asians. Naming anyone else might leave you scratching you head and asking the age-old question: Who?
On paper it should be a slaughter.
Site for this so-called duel is the Glenmarie Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, back in South Africa, it’s Ernie and the rest.
Yes, nothing like a conflict of interest to open your tour’s 2018 season.
