European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley sent a memo to members stating they should expect drastic changes whenever the circuit returns, including reduced purse sizes, according to the Telegraph's James Corrigan.
“Our tour has enjoyed a significant period of growth in recent years, in terms of prize funds, playing opportunities, and the overall standard of our events, as well as our broadcast product," Pelley wrote. "The impact of the coronavirus has stopped this rapid momentum in its tracks, and it will, in fact, require us to reassess many elements."
Pelley outlined that tournament infrastructure will be scaled back, which includes luxuries such as a top-class players' lounge and courtesy cars.
A condensed schedule is being considered too, and it may feature multiple events in the same week, or three-to-four tournaments over consecutive weeks in the same region to make up for lost playing opportunities while also reducing travel requirements.
"Prize funds will also most likely be different," Pelley continued. "The reality is, the pandemic is going to have a profound impact on the tour financially, as well as many of our partners, both in sponsorship and broadcast areas."
Last month, the PGA Tour announced a plan to assist its members financially with advanced payments based on expected future earnings. Pelley addressed that topic in the memo, saying the European Tour is “simply not in a position to do that.”
A return date for the European Tour has not been set, but Pelley mentioned the first week of September as a possibility.
The European circuit has either canceled or postponed 14 events, with the expectation that the coronavirus pandemic will impact more tournaments.
