Nick
Faldo, Lee Westwood and Seve Ballesteros head a list of top golfers who have asked for an independent
audit of the European Tour's books.
Only Colin Montgomerie is the only big name
who has refused to join the demand for a serious look into how the Tour has been run over
the last 20 years.
A letter signed by more than 50 of the players is to be sent to Ken Schofield, the
Tour's executive director, asking that Andersen Consulting be allowed to delve into the
Tour's past.
Ballesteros is one of over 50 European Tour players demanding an investigation.Allsport.
It follows an original letter from Faldo, Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria
Olazabal, who were told they needed more signatures for their request to be considered in
what could prove an explosive issue.
"We are not saying there has been anything improper going on, but we would like to
see exactly where all the money has gone," said a senior player, who asked not to be
named.
Issues that players want resolved include the level of staffing by the European Tour, where the cash bonanza from the Ryder Cup has been distributed and is the European Tour too British centered.
Perhaps of even more concern is the future where more and more top European players are to play for the more lucrative purses on offer in the USA. The PGA Tour are aiming for a minimum prize fund of $3,000,000, whilst many European Tour events only offer a fraction of that.
