In the framework of the presentation of the Ryder Cup 2031 at Camiral Golf, the CEO of the DP World Tour, Guy Kinnings, takes a few minutes to chat with TenGolf. There are many commitments, but there is time to discuss several of the most current topics in world golf: the fines for LIV Golf players, the relationship with the PGA Tour, contacts with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the Ryder Cup…
— Camiral Golf will be the second Ryder Cup in Spain in 34 years…
— That’s right.
— What does Spanish golf mean for the Ryder Cup and for the DP World Tour?
— Well, the fact that Spain is the first continental European country to host the Ryder Cup for the second time says it all. Spain is incredibly important to us as a tour and to the Ryder Cup. The Spanish Open over the years has been very relevant, but now we are here to celebrate this news about the Ryder Cup. I’m biased, but I think I speak for most who love the Ryder Cup when I say that everything changed in 1979, when continental Europeans joined the British and Irish players. Suddenly, it became a very competitive event. There was one man who inspired everyone, Spaniards, Europeans, and others: Seve Ballesteros. I was there in ’97, in another role. I was an agent, working with some players, watching him lead that team, watching him alongside José María Olazábal. I can’t hear José María speak without getting emotional when he explains what they did together. For me, Spain has done so much for the Ryder Cup. You hear that list of players I mentioned, who played the tournament and did an incredible job. Seve, who is the soul of it all. Even today, you can see it in how the players react. There we were in Rome, with the huge banner of Seve being unfurled and Javier (Ballesteros) on the 1st tee. José María again as vice-captain. And you can see the players’ reaction, especially the young ones, how inspiring it is. We had an event recently and he asked: “What do you want me to do?” I said: “Just tell stories. Tell them what you did.” And there was total silence. You could hear how the young ones listened to an absolute legend telling stories of what he, Seve, and others did. So, for me, being here, coming to Camiral, which is a wonderful resort, to Catalonia, with Girona and Barcelona, two incredible cities, and returning to Spain, is perfect. I said it before: we have great golf fans all over Europe, but in Spain, they are especially knowledgeable. They value golf a lot. I think it will be a huge event for all European golf, but especially for Spanish golf. I’m very happy.
— Jon Rahm said, obviously, he hopes to play in 2031 and considers there would be no better captain than Sergio García, do you see it possible with the current situation?
— What Sergio and Jon have done, along with other Spanish golfers, is great for the Ryder Cup. We are six years away from any decision on that. We have a lot to resolve still. Normally, the captain is not decided until the December after the last Ryder, or even January or February. So we could easily be talking about January or February 2030 to know. Many things can happen. There are many details to resolve, and that will be one of them. Now we have to focus on what matters: the success of Spanish golf.
— Is the resolution still awaited on the DP World Tour fines for Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, among others? Any idea when the tribunal will resolve?
— No, it’s part of a legal process we are following. We are managing it as we have done before, but we don’t have a specific timeline. For now, our focus is on what we must do to build global golf and prepare to try to win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
— Is the DP World Tour considering the possibility of eliminating the policy of fines and sanctions for LIV Golf players or at least easing it?
— Any decision affecting the tour’s rules must go through a strict process with the tournament committee. As I said before, we would love to find a solution in the future that allows players to compete together. We want to see the best players competing against each other as often as possible, not just in the majors. We also love to see them in DP World Tour events. I loved seeing Jon and Ángel in the playoff of the Spanish Open last year. It was magical. So it’s not resolved yet, but it’s certainly something we hope to achieve.
— Have you had any contact with Brian Rolapp, the new CEO of the PGA Tour, and what was that conversation?
— I was lucky. I attend the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Enterprises board meetings. In a recent one, Brian was already there. I think he hadn’t officially been announced yet, that was the next day. But he was already talking to the players. I met Brian and liked him very much. He has a great track record, coming from the NFL, which already looks towards the global. He talked about the importance of international golf. However, he officially doesn’t start until July 28. I shared my vision of international golf with him, but he needs to settle in, start in the role, and I will see him again during one of the FedEx Cup playoff events. I sincerely believe he is a great choice. It will be good for the sport and hopefully also for the growth of global golf. We are the global tour, so having his support would be very valuable. I’m looking forward to working with him.
— Is there any possibility of collaboration between the DP World Tour and the PIF without the involvement of the PGA Tour?
— We have a very happy and successful strategic alliance with the PGA Tour, so we work very closely with them. We want to work with everyone who supports golf. It doesn’t make sense to choose a path that leaves the sport fragmented. I believe a lot in a more global and united golf. So we would love for, at some point in the future, everyone to be able to work together. But, for now, our relationship with the PGA Tour is very satisfying. They incredibly support everything we do internationally.
