Guy Kinnings, DP World Tour & Ryder Cup Europe CEO, ‘Why This is Golf’s Moment’ (Ep70)

Today we’re delighted to welcome Guy Kinnings to the show. Guy is the CEO of European (DP World) Tour and Ryder Cup Europe. Our first venture into golf and it couldn’t be better timed. An Incredible Rory McIlroy Masters win to kick off the season followed by a summer of elite culminating in the Ryder Cup in New York in September. 

The business or politics of golf have been hotly debated since the inception of Saudi backed LIV Golf a few years ago. Big cheques attracting some of the world’s top players put huge pressure on the DP World Tour & PGA Tour to retain talent and continue to create elite sporting events. As Guy talks through today, this should be viewed as a development of the game; an opportunity to build on the successes of what have gone before while elevating the global product of golf.

Naturally, with responsibility falling on his shoulders (behind the scenes at least) to deliver a rare Ryder Cup away win, there is plenty of conversation around what makes one of the most special events in sport tick. In a sport of genuine global icons and unparalleled moments of drama, we take a look at how the game develops behind the glamour of the 18th green.

On today’s show we discuss:

What is the DP World Tour:

• There are many tours and competitions taking place around the world. What is the DP World Tour responsible for?
• Who gets to play on the Tour? How the reference to ‘European’ is a misnomer; this is a sporting organisation with global reach.
• The finances associated with golf. From major sponsorship and broadcast deals to the cost of creating elite sporting events.
• With many of the key European players going and playing their golf on the PGA Tour in America, how do they retain value and participation at the top of the DP Tour?
• What does the strategic alliance with the PGA Tour look like and how have they been impacted by the arrival of LIV Golf?

Athletes as Icons:

• Golf has produced some of sport’s most famous names; the rise of Jack Nicklas, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and now Rory McIlroy.
• The Rory McIlory effect: from completing the grand slam winning the Masters to driving the European game forward, how important is individual stardom in the sport?
• How the commercial value of talent can drive a tournament forward or undermine its credibility.
• Where do the opportunities lie for golfers to really write their name in the history books: a Ryder Cup special!
• If golfers were on the stock market, which player would Guy invest in?

The Future of Golf:

• The arrival of LIV has brought in private equity investment and a new set of eyeballs. Should this be viewed as an opportunity to grow the game at all levels?
• Building value in new markets can create additional opportunities for organisations like the DP World Tour to develop.
• How influential is something like the Ryder Cup in shaking off some negative perceptions of the sport?
• Is golf genuinely accessible and if not, can more be done to bring the game to areas of the world with the least access?

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