European chief reveals revamped schedule aimed at rivalling PGA

Keith Pelley's revamped schedule takes in 45 tournaments across 26 countries

Rory McIlroy keeping his eyes on the ball during a pro-am event in Dubai (Getty Images)

The new European Tour chief executive, Keith Pelley, has set out his vision for European golf with a revamped schedule that takes in 45 tournaments across 26 countries.

With fewer than half the events taking place on the European mainland, the move further establishes the tour as a global entity, significantly strengthening the proposition vis-à-vis the economic superpower that is the PGA Tour of America.

The reshaped final series, which apes the Fed-Ex play-offs that bring the curtain down on the American season, comprises three events instead of four, offering a combined prize fund of £15m.

Pelley unveiled the first fruits of his six-month tenure in Dubai, where the 2015 season concludes this week. There is no peace for the wicked in this game and demonstrating even closer links with the Asian, Australasian and Sunshine tours, the new season begins in South Africa next week, just days after the DP World Tour Championship ends in Dubai on Sunday, and features the Australian PGA Championship for the first time.

The Nedbank World Challenge, traditionally part of the opening sequence, will appear twice for one season only, sandwiched between Turkey and Dubai in the final series, as well as its early December slot.

The accommodation of golf at the Olympic Games in August means the US PGA has been brought forward to the end of July, a fortnight earlier than its usual slot and separated by just one week from the Open at Royal Troon.

On the pitch this week a fag paper separates Rory McIlroy at the top of the Race to Dubai rankings from the chasing pack, headed by his 2007 Walker Cup team-mate Danny Willett. Seven players are notionally in the running to top the order of merit on Sunday, including third-placed Justin Rose and Shane Lowry in fourth.

McIlroy remains favourite and is minded to seal his third order of merit title in a part of the world where he won for the first time as a professional at the Dubai Desert Classic, a feat he repeated in February this year.

“I didn’t quite think I’d be in this position, especially after taking the week off last week, but a few of the guys didn’t capitalise on that thankfully and I find myself in a position where it’s totally in my hands,” he said. “It would be a great way to finish the season.”

Willett, who has seen his world ranking climb to a career-high 21, is enjoying the attention, while also playing the underdog card. “It’s a new experience, a new challenge. It’s been a long, busy year, but one that’s been very rewarding and I’m in a fantastic position to go out and do something pretty amazing,” he said.

“It’s been good to play great all around the world and mix it with the best, and beat some of them. Just to be up there a lot of times throughout the year has given me a lot of confidence going forward.

“I think everybody would always like to see a little bit of an underdog try and come through. This week there’s one job to do which is win – and if you fail at winning, just try to beat Rory.”