As the PGA Tour season winds down to a quiet close, with only those competing to keep their cards, a new season begins on The European Tour.
But not just a new season!  A star-studded beginning to a new season!

The HSBC Champions in Shaghai is underway, featuring some of the PGA’s top stars: Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas and Geoff Ogilvy. 

So what’s the attraction?  Well for Phil Mickelson its about defending his world #2 ranking.  For Sergio Garcia, its about knocking Phil out of his current #2 ranking.  Both Sergio and Phil finished day 1 at the HSBC at 66.

But beyond world rankings, its about money.  It’s called the “Race to Dubai” which could pay as much as $3.66 million to the winner.  The HSBC  Champions has a purse of $5 million.

The Dubai World Championship to be held next November, will be comprised of the top 60 players in the Race to Dubai. A $10 million purse for the tournament and a bonus $10 million to be paid to the top 15 players on the points list.  Should a player win both, he will receive $3.66 million.  The HSBC Champions has a strong field which equates to more ranking points

The European Tour is attracting more PGA players each year as a result.

But how will the PGA hold up when many of its star performers are overseas? 

Well there will most certainly be a few tournaments like the Sony Open, and Bob Hope Chrysler Classic that will be missing the top PGA attractions.  These tournaments are held at the same time as the Abu Dhabi and Qatar tournaments which provide the players with appearance money, and luxurious accomodations.

For the last two generations the PGA Tour has been the ultimate goal for the best players in the world.  Will a PGA Tour card remain as the top prize for a young pro hopeful?

I think that this fresh and new European Tour rebuild is great for golf.  But I’m sure that we’ll here more from the PGA on the matter.