Matthew Fitzpatrick offers dismal assessment of golf chief's tenure
Matthew Fitzpatrick has offered his thoughts on the departure of DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley, who has taken on a new role in Canada.
England's Matthew Fitzpatrick is a largely unassuming presence in the world of men's professional golf.
But the Englishman is fairly strong-minded and he offered a brutal one-sentence response when asked for his opinion to the news DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has quit.
Pelley has decided to return to his native Canada to be the president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
The 60-year-old businessman insists he will continue to help negotiate the peace agreement with LIV Golf's financiers and the PGA Tour over the next three months before handing over to his number two Guy Kinnings.
But there is no doubt the Tour looks decidedly different to when he took up the position eight and a half years ago.
Pelley has undoubtedly had successes such as launching a Tour for disabled golfers, introducing the Rolex Series events and steering the circuit through the pandemic.
But there are some who believe his decision-making over the last few years has weakened the Tour.
For example, the move to strengthen their ties with the established North American circuit through a 'strategic alliance' has received criticism.
Elsewhere, one of the chief complaints from professionals appears to be the decision to award the leading 10 players in the Race to Dubai with PGA Tour cards.
It is an initiative Pelley has defended fiercely, arguing the accusations of being a feeder tour are 'lazy'.
Pelley has said the move has simply formulated a pathway that has always existed.
World No.2 Rory McIlroy reckons it's far too soon to judge Pelley's tenure. Fitzpatrick thinks differently.
He was asked by a Golfweek reporter: "What do you consider his legacy to be?"
And Fitzpatrick offered: "Probably giving away the 10 best players for Europe to the PGA Tour. I would say so, yeah."
One player who is thankful to Pelley is Robert MacIntyre, who is embarking on his first full season on the PGA Tour in 2024.
He told the publication: "He got me to the PGA Tour, didn't he?
"I think the way the world of golf is going it's going to be a world tour.
"He's given me a pathway to achieve dreams I've always wanted to achieve. Good luck to him."
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