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Ryder Cup may go global

Tour name-change ruled out

Last updated: 20th November 2007

O'Grady: No name-change

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European Tour chief executive George O'Grady has not ruled out the possibility of Europe's 'home' Ryder Cup matches being played outside the continent in the future.

Following the announcement of the end-of-season Dubai Championship, the world's richest golf tournament, and the Race to Dubai - it has been suggested that the Ryder Cup could be the next high-profile event to move outside Europe.

Asked about that, O'Grady said: "In the future I think it's possible." Although he added: "Our next two venues are signed up with Celtic Manor and Gleneagles, and we certainly intend to go to the continent of Europe for 2018."

Name

Meanwhile O'Grady has ruled out a suggestion from Colin Montgomerie that the European Tour should change its name to the 'International Tour', given that the schedule is now worldwide.

He said: "We can't at the moment see any reason to change from the European Tour.

"None of the business partners that we have tell us they want the name European Tour to change."

There have even been suggestsions that the Tour could change its name to 'The World Tour', but the status quo looks set to remain at least for now.