“Giving away the 10 best players” - Matt Fitzpatrick reflects on Keith Pelley's legacy after departure from DP World Tour for Maple Leaf Sports’ job

Matt Fitzpatrick is one of the many voices in the golf world that have weighed in on Keith Pelley's resignation as CEO of the DP World Tour. Fitzpatrick is among those who weren't very happy with Pelley's management.

The Englishman is at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, participating in the Sony Open. At the end of the first round this Thursday, January 11, a reporter asked Fitzpatrick about what, in his opinion, is the legacy Pelley leaves behind after his tenure at the helm of the DP World Tour.

Matt Fitzpatrick (Image via Getty).

Matt Fitzpatrick replied (via Golfweek):

"Probably giving away the 10 best players for Europe to the PGA Tour. I would say so, yeah."

Keith Pelley took over as CEO of the DP World Tour in 2015. During his tenure, the European tour significantly strengthened its relationship with the PGA Tour. Among the measures of this collaboration was the granting of American based circuit cards to the top 10 ranked players of the 2023 Race to Dubai, not otherwise exempt.

This decision led top players, such as Sergio Garcia, to say that Pelley turned the DP World Tour into a PGA Tour feeder tour (via The Guardian).

Other players were not as critical as Fitzpatrick. Answering the same question, Robert MacIntyre stated:

"He got me to the PGA Tour, didn’t he? I think the way the world of golf is going it’s going to be a world tour. He’s given me a pathway to achieve dreams I’ve always wanted to achieve. Good luck to him."

Justin Rose, for his part, said the following:

"Keith has always been a disruptor of the game in a good way. He’s always looked for angles, for ways to grow the game, he’s always thought a little bit differently than guys who have been in his position prior. I’ve always enjoyed his outlook and the way he swung for the fences, so-to speak."

Keith Pelley announced, on Thursday (January 11), his resignation as CEO of the DP World Tour to accept a high-profile job with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Pelley will remain at the helm of the European tour until April 2.

A look at Matt Fitzpatrick's performance at the Sony Open in Hawaii

Matt Fitzpatrick got off to a slow start at the Sony Open in Hawaii, as he could only score 1 under in the first round, seven strokes behind leader Cam Davis. The Englishman's performance included three birdies and two bogeys.

Fitzpatrick only managed an average driving distance of 302.70 yards (ranked 67th of the round) and could only hit 6 of 14 fairways (42.86%, 105th). However, he did manage to hit 13 of 18 greens in Regulation (27th).

His putting also slowed him down. Fitzpatrick needed 30 putts during the first round (65th) and 1.77 putts per Greens in Regulation (43rd).

Fitzpatrick did not start the second round well either, as he boeyed his first three holes of thje day. At the time of playing the 4th hole, the Englishman is below the projected cut line.