Colin Montgomerie wants the European Tour to “hold firm” over its Finals Series regulations following player threats that they will be forced to quit the tour unless something changes.
Former Open champion Ernie Els is one of the top players annoyed at a regulation which requires players to compete in two of the first three Final Series events to be eligible for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
The South African will not fulfil that criteria and therefore will not be in Dubai next week, where European Tour chief executive George O’Grady is due to reveal how the schedule “evolves and moves forward”.
Eight-time European No 1 Montgomerie believes the Tour should not yield to any demands, and called for for it to “call the bluff” of players.
“You can understand the European Tour’s point of view it’s difficult to find sponsors,” Montgomerie said, according to the BBC Sport website.
“The players are saying they are being dictated to and being told where to play but you shouldn’t have to be told to play for seven million (US) dollars should you?
“They are professional golfers, that’s their job. I think the Tour should hold firm.”
Montgomerie believes players should be prohibited from appearing in the Ryder Cup if they do not play on the European Tour.
“Call their bluff the Tour have a bit of power here,” he said.