Here's the real reason why Keith Pelley is leaving the DP World Tour

Keith Pelley reveals the real reason he is departing the DP World Tour before The Masters.

17 Jan 2024

Here's the real reason why Keith Pelley is leaving the DP World Tour

Keith Pelley admits home comforts and getting to run his childhood teams were the two main reasons for his decision to leave his role as DP World Tour CEO.

Canadian Pelley, 60, confirmed last week he will be stepping away from his role of CEO on the former European Tour circuit just before The Masters this April.

Guy Kinnings will take over on April 2.

Pelley, who joined the European Tour in 2015, will become president and CEO of Maples Leaf Sports Entertainment (MLSE), whose holdings comprise the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Raptors of the NBA.

It was one of only two jobs that Pelley said he would ever have left the DP World Tour for, and one of them does not even exist.

Pelley told Sky Sports' Nick Dougherty ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic:

"I think the fact that the opportunity to go back and run your childhood teams and go back to your home country.

"I have absolutely loved living in England and have loved my time here, travelling the world, but there is something about home.

"I always said there are only two things that I would ever leave the DP World Tour for and those are running an NFL team in Toronto, which doesn't exist, or the presidency of MLSE and run my home team.

"At the end it was the right decision for my family, but I will dearly miss the Tour."

Dougherty then asked Pelley to reveal his proudest achievements during his nine-year spell at the DP World Tour.

"I am incredibly proud of the team and what we have been able to accomplish together. I look back and one of the first decisions I had to make was the decision of where the 2022 Ryder Cup would be, and that was back in 2015 in Rome. There were a lot of sceptical people and I think we elevated the Ryder Cup to a whole different level in 2023 this year, and that was incredibly gratifying.

"There are number of things I am proud of, the Rolex Series, the way we handled Covid, but most importantly how we have increased the earning potential for our members. Prize funds and playing opportunities is our No.1 priority and we have been able to do that in leaps and bounds, and that is a testament to the team.

"I know Guy [Kinnings] will take it to the next level, and it's a seamless transition. I am definitely proud of what we have been able to accomplish."

With three more months left of work on the DP World Tour, the Canadian remains optimisitc a deal can still be reached between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to unify the professional game once and for all.

The framework agreement deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF is understood to have been pushed back to a similar time when Pelly exits the DP World Tour in early April.

PGA Tour commisioner Jay Monahan has reportedly flown out to meet Saudi PIF for further talks this week.

JUST IN: PGA TOUR commissioner Jay Monahan has traveled to Saudi Arabia for meetings with the PIF, sources tell Sports Business Journal. @JoshACarpenter pic.twitter.com/PwU60TqqVD
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) January 16, 2024

Pelley told Dougherty:

"I think what we have been focused on since the June 6 announcement is unifying the game, and that is really important. I know Jay Monahan is committed to doing that, and I know Yasir and the PIF would like to do it, and now you have a new partner coming in in SSG. The four of us with the DP World Tour as part of that partnership will do just that and unify the game. That is the most important thing. We are looking at the growth of the game, you certainly have seen that and you see it this week, the global nature of the game. All businesses want to be global. The focus and attention of making the game global with those four partners is something that I know everyone is energised about, and I am optimistic it can happen."

Former European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn certainly thinks that should happen as he tweeted this afternoon:

"The pyramid of golf has many layers… The professional game is the shining light at the top of the pyramid. Imagine if that was a unified, global game where the best played against the best on the greatest courses in the greatest tournaments. It’s really not that difficult…"

While Rory McIlroy considers Pelley has "played it really well" in recent years in his role as CEO of the DP World Tour, he said it will take another 18 months to best judge how well the Canadian did in his position.

How well do you think Keith Pelley has done as CEO of the DP World Tour? Has the former European Tour circuit solely become a feeder Tour for the PGA Tour in 2024, or has that always been the case down the years? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.

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