DP World Tour player Thomas Pieters has expressed his disappointment at missing out on this year’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, despite currently sitting at World No.34.
The Belgian took to Twitter to air his views, writing: “Sad to miss my favourite tournament of the year. Because well as #34 in world, I just couldn’t get in at @PGATour #Genesis Invitational.”
Sad to miss my favorite tournament of the year. Because well as #34 in world, I just couldn’t get in @PGATOUR. 🤷🏻♂️ #GenesisInvitationalFebruary 15, 2023
There are various categories to determine who is eligible for this week’s tournament, including former winners of the tournament, recent winners of the Players Championship and the four Majors and those in the top 125 of the previous season’s FedEx Cup. For Pieters, though, none of the categories apply, meaning he misses out despite enjoying a relatively high world ranking. On the surface, the situation looks even more strange because, had he been eligible, he would have been the 30th ranked player in this week’s field of 129.
The news adds to the perception that the strategic alliance between the DP World Tour, where Pieters plays, and the PGA Tour, is skewed too heavily in favour of the latter. Responses to Pieters’ tweet from some high-profile figures in the game alluded to that perceived injustice, too.
Popular golf Twitter account Flushing It wrote: “I’m sure it’s very ‘strategic'”, while another, Monday Q Info responded: “A lot of players from Europe have said the “strategic alliance” is one sided. Pga tour players get into the Euro Tours best events, but the top Euro players can’t get into top events here.”
A lot of players from Europe have said the “strategic alliance” is one sided. Pga tour players get into the Euro Tours best events, but the top Euro players can’t get into top events here. https://t.co/QGtu3CWIosFebruary 15, 2023
Elsewhere, pro Wade Ormsby wrote, ‘That’s madness mate!’ while podcaster Shane Bacon said it undermines the elevated status of the tournament, commenting: “This isn’t great – if we are going to make the elevated events ELEVATED, let’s include those that have played well enough to be top-35 in the world (and, btw, Pieters won the NCAAs at Riv back in 2012).”
This isn’t great – if we are going to make the elevated events ELEVATED, let’s include those that have played well enough to be top-35 in the world (and, btw, Pieters won the…
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