HONOLULU – It didn’t take long at the Sony Open in Hawaii for news to spread among the Europeans in the field that DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley announced he was leaving the circuit after eight and a half years in the role to join Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, as well as the city’s MLS and Canadian Football League franchises.
Pelley, who had been at the DP World Tour since 2015, came to golf from Rogers Media, where he oversaw its ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays. Since he never worked in the golf industry, Pelley brought a fresh perspective to the job and wasn’t afraid to step beyond perceived boundaries and break free of some of the sport’s long-held traditions.
Music and pyrotechnics on the first tee? Did it. A 40-second shot clock to improve pace of play? He signed off on the Shot Clock Masters in Austria in 2018. He signed Rolex to underwrite a lucrative series of tournaments and sold title rights to the circuit.
He also allowed Saudi Arabia to get its tentacles into golf with the creation of the Saudi International. Ultimately, Pelley chose to partner with the PGA Tour through its strategic alliance. It is part of the framework agreement with the Saudi Arabia’s PIF but has taken a backseat in the negotiations to the PGA Tour. Guy Kinnings, the current deputy CEO and executive director – Ryder Cup, will become the European Tour group’s new CEO effective April 2.
Here’s what several European prso had to say about his move.
Justin Rose
I didn’t see it coming. He’s Canadian and it gives him a chance to go home.
Listen, you never know when these type of jobs come around but tough timing as well. There’s a lot to unpack and figure out at the moment. It would be nice if there was clarity before he’s leaving.
Keith has always been a disruptor of the game in a good way. He’s always looked for angles, for ways to grow the game, he’s always thought a little bit differently than guys who have been in his position prior. I’ve always enjoyed his outlook and the way he swung for the fences, so-to speak.
Crystal ball would have been great because there have been some opportunities the way golf has gone where the European Tour could have positioned itself in a different way and possibly strengthened the tour in the shorter term. I don’t know how this new arrangement with (private equity), for example, if it goes through, pertains to the European Tour. So maybe it still will be a good move for the European Tour.
On Guy Kinnings taking over
He’s a lovely guy to be around. He plays the agent card really well, he knows what he is. He’s comfortable wearing a little pink.
He looks like he has been poised for a big job either with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Ever since the alliance I always figured he was in line for a top job with one of the tours so this doesn’t surprise me.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Very good for Keith.
Q: What do you consider his legacy to be?
A: Probably giving away the 10 best players for Europe to the PGA Tour. I would say so, yeah.
Robert MacIntyre
It’s his choice. I’m a golfer, I don’t get into the details of the running of golf tours. I’m a member, I play golf for a living. These guys are far more intelligent than I am to run tours. I got along with him great and will always have his number to pick up the phone.
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.
Alex Noren
It’s a very different climate in the world of golf than when he started.
I don’t know what the best future for all the tours is going to be. I’m happy that we have a lot of good tournaments in Europe. I just wish we could combine the tours a little bit more and get FedEx Cup points for a few more DP World Tour events so it would make sense for more guys on the PGA Tour to play both tours. I think it would benefit both tours.
Keith was very forward-thinking and he tried to compete with the U.S. tour. Bringing those Rolex events was huge. I just think moving forward we could combine them more and as a European I’d love that.
On Guy Kinnings
He’s very competent, very personable but also very professional. He’s done a great job with the Ryder Cup and at IMG and I really like him and I think he will do a good job.
