Shane Lowry's defence of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational next year may not have a same calibre of field after the European Tour announced today that will not co-sanction the event.
The announcement was made, as the event is set to clash with the Open de France next year due to the Olympic tournament taking place next August. The Open de France is celebrating its 100th edition next year and is one of the oldest tournaments in Europe.
In a statement released by the European Tour this morning, they stated:
"The European Tour has today announced that, due to a date clash with next season’s Alstom Open de France, it will not sanction the 2016 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
The Alstom Open de France is the oldest national Open Championship in Continental Europe, and has been a fixture on The European Tour International Schedule since the Tour’s formation in 1972.
Withdrawing the sanction means that the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational will not be part of The 2016 European Tour International Schedule, nor will money won in it count towards The Race to Dubai or for Ryder Cup points."
The announcement means that European Tour players like Lowry will have to play an extra tournament next year on the European Tour if they wish to qualify for the Race to Dubai. The large prize fund at the tournament in Ohio wont count towards the European Tour money list either.
The Le Golf National course in Paris is also host to the 2018 Ryder Cup and many European stars are expected to play in the event to get used to the conditions before the event in three years time.
Ian Poulter was one of the first players to voice his displeasure at the calender clash on Sunday evening after he finished in a tie for 17th place, ten shots behind Shane Lowry.
Gutted today, but really gutted hardly any European players will be able to play next years @WGC_Bridgestone same date as the French Open.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) August 9, 2015
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