New DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings believes golf’s mindset shift towards becoming a more global game plays to his circuit’s strengths and gives them “a great opportunity” to help shape the game “in the right way.”
Kinnings officially started his new role on April 2, becoming just the fifth CEO in the history of the European Tour and succeeding Keith Pelley – who has left to take the top job at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in his native Canada.
Although the announcement involving Pelley and Kinnings was made early in the new year, the Canadian had asked to stay on for three extra months in order to help try and see a unification deal involving the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s backers, the PIF, through to its conclusion – something that is yet to take place.
Addressing his emotions after finally beginning his time in the top job at the Wentworth-based tour following almost six years as the European Tour Group’s Deputy CEO, Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Director for the Ryder Cup, Kinnings said: “Today is a very proud day for me and my family.
“It is a real privilege to become the Chief Executive of the European Tour Group and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. Our Tour has such a wonderful history, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to help shape the next exciting phase in its evolution.”
Kinnings – who also held overall responsibility for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome during his time under Pelley – later outlined his thoughts on the sport’s future from a wider perspective.
Several well-known players and other golf personalities – including Rory McIlroy – have recently called for the upper echelons of men’s pro golf to move itself away from predominantly the US and take in under-represented, but equally passionate, areas of the world such as Australia and South America.
“My dream scenario is a World Tour, with the proviso that corporate America has to remain a big part of it all,” McIlroy said, ahead of the Dubai Invitational in January 2024. “Saudi Arabia, too. That’s just basic economics.”
Guy Kinnings poses with Team Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup dozen at Marco Simone
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Stating that he is keen to see unity in the game first and foremost, Kinnings went on to agree with McIlroy and co. on their wish to see a more…
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