Change to dollars does not signal advent of a world tour T

oday’s Hong Kong Open will be the first event in which a dollar exchange rate will become the norm on the European Tour.

Instead of in pounds sterling or euros, the Tour will now use US dollars to classify the Race to Dubai. One dollar will equal one point in the standings.

Obviously, it now makes it easier to compare the prize funds on offer between our Tour and the PGA Tour.

That is quite favourable for the Rolex Series but, for many events, there is just no comparison.

I was on the committee when we changed it to euros because we wanted to be a more ‘European’ Tour.

Some have interpreted this change to dollars as the next step on the inevitable road towards a world tour, which would be dominated by America, but I don’t see it.

European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, is adamant that won’t happen. He is too busy trying to create a ‘viable alternative’.

As such, he is pushing a global schedule which sees golf on all continents for 47 weeks a year.

My concern is that thanks to the Rolex Series, we are creating a top-ended Tour where the very best are thriving and the rest are struggling.

That does not sit easily with me. I’m a great believer in equal opportunity for all.

If you look at last week’s DP World Tour Championship for the top 60 on the Race to Dubai list, there was only one player – Eddie Pepperell – who came through European Q-School 12 months ago.

For those guys – and it is the scenario now facing Scotland’s Connor Syme – there is a real lack of opportunity.

The tournaments they often get to play in are in South Africa or Australia, where the money is less and they are competing against battle-hardened locals.

To do well, they need to finish in the top six or seven to have a chance of establishing a competitive schedule of events.

I’m not sure the European Tour is getting as much in return for these co-sanctioned events as the other way around.

For a South African or Australian enjoying a great week, this could be the express route to a European Tour card and our big-money tournaments.

I also have to raise an eyebrow at the 2018 European Tour season starting immediately after the 2017 one has finished. The close-season was exactly three days!

That does not happen in other sports. If everything blurs into one, it loses meaning for fans.

As it was, we had a great climax in Dubai last Sunday. Justin Rose had come with that brilliant late run to stop a simple coronation for Tommy Fleetwood.

But even someone as determined as Justin started to feel the pressure of winning the Harry Vardon Trophy in the last few holes.

That shows what being No.1 in Europe means.

Rose’s mistakes ensured Tommy took the prestigious crown. And Fleetwood must use this as a stepping stone for the next part of his career.