First it was Rory McIlroy.
Now it’s Francesco Molinari.
Seems the European Tour simply can’t get any respect — from its own players, that is.
Rory dissed the circuit a few months ago, saying he might indeed give up his membership.
That didn’t happen. Eventually, Rory-boy fell in line, most likely thanks to a few promised fat appearance fees. He’ll maintain his status on the other side of the great pond.
Now its the hero of the European Ryder Cup team contemplating a flight to the USA.
The 36-year-old Italian is squirming, saying he’ll concentrate his time on the PGA Tour for 2019.
He wouldn’t even confirm a commitment to the British Masters in May. Molinari’s 2018 Ryder Cup partner, Tommy Fleetwood, is hosting the event next year at Hillside.
“I would like to play the British Masters, but it depends probably on the first couple of months of the season,” Molinari said. “If I learned one thing this season, it is to be a bit flexible with the schedule playing two tours. With the changes, it is a bit different. Wentworth (BMW PGA) was always the first for me, but now it has moved from May to September. That might be the first regular European Tour event I play.”
To retain membership, Molinari needs to play four regular European Tour events outside of the majors or World Golf Championships. There is also a new rule that would prevent Molinari from potentially becoming a Ryder Cup captain in the future if he gave up European Tour membership: “Players cannot be a European Ryder Cup captain or vice captain if they decline membership of the European Tour or fail to fulfill their minimum event obligation in any season.”
So now they’ll simply throw some Euros or Lira his way to bring the Prodigal Son in line.
That’s how it went with Rory.
