Pelley reveals Tour changes

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has confirmed plans to change the regulations for 2016 to help players based in the US.

The Tour’s membership criteria has been called into question in recent weeks due to the difficulty in which those based on the other side of the Atlantic faced in playing the mandatory 13 events.

After speaking with its members, Pelley has confirmed that the new requirements will request players make a minimum of five starts, although these will exclude the four majors and the four World Golf Championships.

The Canadian confirmed on Tuesday that the decision had been made to ensure players are the priority, something he feels is important to help guarantee the continued success of the European Tour.

“One of the reasons was simple: it is to help some of the players that have been entrenched in the US,” he said. “This, I believe, will allow our players to schedule more efficiently, schedule at the beginning of the year, so they know exactly how they are going to maintain their membership.

“We are in the midst of structuring our overall Tour in a more, what I call, players-first philosophy. That will be something that will be absolutely critical for us.”

Pelley also confirmed at his press conference on Tuesday that the Race to Dubai Finals have also been restructured for 2016.

The end of season finale has been shortened from four tournaments to three, with the HSBC Champions being played the week before the start of the Finals.