A global tour is coming in due time, says Matt Kuchar
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A global tour is coming in due time, says Matt Kuchar

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While the rumored merger of the PGA Tour and European Tour may remain just that in the foreseeable future, Matt Kuchar believes a unified world tour is coming.

"I absolutely do see the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the Asian Tour, the Australian Tour somehow turning into some sort of global world tour," Kuchar said in Melbourne ahead of this week's Australian Masters. "I think it will be in my time."

In each of the last three years, the PGA Tour has expanded to acquire or create feeder tours around the world, including PGA Tour Latinoamerica, PGA Tour Canada and the newly formed PGA Tour China.

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Meanwhile, the Asian Tour and OneAsia circuit have fought over territory, as well restrictions each can place on their own players not to compete on the rival tour.

The European Tour has upped the minimum number of tournaments players are required to participate in to maintain membership, including two-thirds of a three-event stretch before this week's season finale in Dubai. There's talk of forcing players to compete in events in their home countries as well.

All of this global competition could well sort itself out faster than anyone anticipates. An accelerated amalgamation is something Kuchar sees unfolding, making Greg Norman's 1990s vision of a global circuit for the best players seem closer to reality.

"I think it seems like it's coming quicker in this last year," Kuchar said. "[W]e may all be saying Greg Norman was right in the day."

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