The man who created the Race to Dubai golfing concept on Wednesday announced plans to resign as chief executive of the PGA European Tour.
George O’Grady confirmed that he has asked the board of directors to begin the process to appoint his successor.
The Nominations Committee, chaired by David Jones, has been tasked with recruiting the new chief executive as the board looks to implement its growth strategy and build on the firm traditions and relationships of The European Tour.
An announcement about this process had originally been planned for the week of The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, the season ending finale of The 2014 Race to Dubai, but recent media speculation has hastened that process.
O’Grady – who will remain in his position until his successor takes office – became only the third chief executive in The European Tour’s history on January 1, 2005.
In his role as chief executive, he has led a number of key initiatives including the implementation of The Race To Dubai and the Final Series, overseeing the significant growth of The Ryder Cup, securing key TV and sponsorship agreements, helping the process which saw golf reinstated in the Olympic Games, and instigating strong relationships with golfing bodies and fellow Tours across the globe.
O’Grady said: “In the aftermath of what I believe to have been the best presented Ryder Cup since my first involvement in the contest at Royal Lytham in 1977, I felt this was the right time to ask the Board to begin the search for my successor.
“It is my firm belief that, coming towards the end of what has been another incredibly successful season, we are now seeing the green shoots of recovery across Europe and I am pleased that this coincides with all our building blocks, in terms of key television and sponsorship contracts, being in place.”
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