Here's the real reason why Keith Pelley is leaving the DP World Tour
Keith Pelley reveals the real reason he is departing the DP World Tour before The Masters.
Keith Pelley admits home comforts and getting to run his childhood teams were the two main reasons for his decision to leave his role as DP World Tour CEO.
Canadian Pelley, 60, confirmed last week he will be stepping away from his role of CEO on the former European Tour circuit just before The Masters this April.
Guy Kinnings will take over on April 2.
Related: Keith Pelley takes not so subtle dig at PGA Tour stars
Pelley, who joined the European Tour in 2015, will become president and CEO of Maples Leaf Sports Entertainment (MLSE), whose holdings comprise the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Raptors of the NBA.
It was one of only two jobs that Pelley said he would ever have left the DP World Tour for, and one of them does not even exist.
Pelley told Sky Sports' Nick Dougherty ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic:
Dougherty then asked Pelley to reveal his proudest achievements during his nine-year spell at the DP World Tour.
With three more months left of work on the DP World Tour, the Canadian remains optimisitc a deal can still be reached between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to unify the professional game once and for all.
The framework agreement deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF is understood to have been pushed back to a similar time when Pelly exits the DP World Tour in early April.
PGA Tour commisioner Jay Monahan has reportedly flown out to meet Saudi PIF for further talks this week.
JUST IN: PGA TOUR commissioner Jay Monahan has traveled to Saudi Arabia for meetings with the PIF, sources tell Sports Business Journal. @JoshACarpenter pic.twitter.com/PwU60TqqVD
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) January 16, 2024
Pelley told Dougherty:
Former European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn certainly thinks that should happen as he tweeted this afternoon:
While Rory McIlroy considers Pelley has "played it really well" in recent years in his role as CEO of the DP World Tour, he said it will take another 18 months to best judge how well the Canadian did in his position.
How well do you think Keith Pelley has done as CEO of the DP World Tour? Has the former European Tour circuit solely become a feeder Tour for the PGA Tour in 2024, or has that always been the case down the years? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
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