By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-11-12 20:55:37 | Updated at 2024-11-18 08:41:04
5 days ago
Chief executive Guy Kinnings says the DP World Tour hopes "to have a different schedule in 2026" after unveiling a 2025 calendar which largely mirrors this season.
But Kinnings warned patience will continue to be key as golf's power brokers look for a solution which would end the so-called civil war in the men's professional game.
The European-based DP World Tour and PGA Tour in the United States are involved in protracted negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which runs the breakaway LIV Tour, about a merger.
A proposed deal to end the divisive split was first unveiled in June 2023.
"I understand that impatience and we have to be mindful of our fans, who have been brilliant," Kinnings told BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter.
"Golf is in such good health but we have to work on this product. It is complicated, not as easy as everyone thinks.
"There are transactional elements, scheduling elements, but all the parties you would want are engaged with right mindset and working towards it.
"Everyone is mindful of how important it is to get it done."
Players on the DP World Tour will receive record prize money of £120m ($153m) over the 2025 season - excluding the cash offered by the four majors.
Kinnings said a minimum of 42 tournaments will be held across 26 different countries, with the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Austrian Open and Turkish Open returning.
With 'global swings', a 'back nine' featuring the Tour's most historic events, and two season-ending play-off tournaments, the schedule will be structured in the same way as this season.
The five Rolex Series events - the most prestigious and money-spinning on the tour - will continue to be spread throughout the year.
The Dubai Desert Classic kicks off the series in January, before the Scottish Open in July and BMW PGA Championship in September.
The Abu Dhabi Championship and season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai follow in November.
"We all hope there may be a different schedule in 2026 but who knows what that might be," said Kinnings.
"We can only focus on what we can control and that is to make the 2025 schedule as good as it can be."
Northern Ireland's four-time major winner Rory McIlroy suggested last week that Donald Trump’s return as US President could bring peace between the respective golf tours.
Keen golfer Trump has praised the lucrative LIV tour, with five of its tournaments held at his courses since its inception in June 2022.
"To have a president who wants the best for the game has to be a good thing. You have to welcome that," said Kinnings.
"It will require everyone to pull together to make sure we do the best for the game. We have to fix these things."
