Bjorn to leave Tour chairman role
- Friday, October 16, 2009, 17:51
- International Sports
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Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn quits as chairman of the European Tour’s players’ committee.The 38-year-old admitted that the combined demands of playing and working on the committee had become too much. Tour chief executive George O’Grady said: “The committee tried to change his mind and urged him to stay because he has been such a good chairman. “Thomas feel it has become too onerous for a player and recommended a different structure.” Bjorn, who will remain in position until July’s annual meeting, proposed that the chief executive runs the meeting and one member of the committee acts as chairman each time. The two-time Ryder Cup player had to take a lengthy break from the game this summer and even had a brain scan because of dizziness and extreme fatigue. He was recently involved in a row with Padraig Harrington, but said his decision to step down from a role he has held since 2007 was unconnected. Bjorn and Harrington were at odds over plans for the committee to discuss a possible tightening up of Tour rules, with players having to commit to more tournaments.
The pair met on Tuesday and both were adamant that their 14-year friendship will not be harmed. Harrington, who is not on the committee, was invited to Thursday’s meeting to air his views on the future of the Tour and appears to have won a relaxation in the demand. Instead, there is likely to be a points system which encourages rather than demands players appear more in “home” events. The details have still to be worked out, but it could mean players have to reach a minimum points figure during the season to retain membership, but could still do that without committing to certain heavily-weighted tournaments. “We had a broad consensus of the way forward without being clear of the precise details,” stated O’Grady. “Padraig was very useful to the committee and his views were certainly taken into account. Winning three majors gives you a right to be heard.”
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