Saturday, December 21, 2013

Olazabal: Focus on Royal Trophy

4:14 PM

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Jose Maria Olazabal believes the European Tour is erring by backing the new EurAsia Cup event instead of renewing ties with the Royal Trophy.

The Spaniard is currently captaining the European side in the seventh edition of the ongoing Royal Trophy matchplay event as they take on Asia.

The event was launched in 2006 by Seve Ballesteros, with the backing of the Japan Golf Tour and China Golf Association (CGA).

The European Tour did back the tournament at first, but has now dropped it in favour of the upcoming EurAsia Cup, which starts next year and also has the Asian Tour's support.

"I know the European Tour sanctioned this event for two years and then a split occurred for some reason," Olazabal said on Saturday.

"But I do think they must sit down with the Royal Trophy people and work out their differences because it is such an important issue.

"The Royal Trophy will continue even if it is not sanctioned by the European Tour because it has great support from the Japan Golf Tour, the China Golf Association, and other important parties in Asia.

"But I know the organizers are keen to resolve this issue, and I would call on both sides to sit down and sort this thing out."

Referring to the EurAsia Cup, Olazabal added: "We do not need another Asia v Europe match involving a maximum of twenty players when we already have a well-established Royal Trophy.

"But we do need more full field events, and I know other players feel the same way," he added.

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