LONDON: The European Tour has backed the suggested ban on the anchoring of long putters, saying almost all of their player representatives supported the change to golf’s regulations.
In November, the rule-making Royal and Ancient (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) proposed to outlaw the controversial process of anchoring a long-handled putter to the body during the swing — a technique employed by three of the last five major winners — from 2016.
The US PGA Tour disagrees with the suggested change, citing a lack of data detailing specific advantages in anchoring and the 40-year history of long putters as the main reasons not to back the proposal.
“The European Tour has been fully involved in the consultation process which ended on Feb. 28,” it said in a statement yesterday. “Our members support the unique role played by the governing bodies in formulating the rules of golf.
“Virtually all of our Tournament Committee and player representatives support the proposed rule even though they are aware, and have taken into account, the fact some members and especially our senior members use the anchored method.”
The proposed rule change has also received support from the likes of world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and 14-times major winner Tiger Woods but others such as British Open champion Ernie Els, who switched to a long putter in 2011, have voiced their opposition.
The PGA Tour came out against the ban last month.
“Essentially where the PGA Tour came down was that they did not think that banning anchoring was in the best interest of golf or the PGA Tour,” commissioner Tim Finchem told reporters at the time.
“The thinking of the players and our board of directors ... was in the absence of data or any basis to conclude there is a competitive advantage to be gained by using anchoring, and given the amount of time that anchoring has been in the game, there was no overriding reason to go down that road.
“An awful lot of amateurs today use anchoring ... and a number of players on the PGA Tour who have grown up with a focus on perfecting the anchoring method ... did so after the USGA on multiple occasions approved the method years ago,” added Finchem.
The European Tour said it had “respect and sympathy” for the views of the PGA Tour.
“The whole issue has received far greater focus and comment in the US than in the rest of the world, perhaps because of the numbers of their golfers using the anchored method, and the set up ... of their golf courses and the firmness and speed of their greens,” added the European Tour.
European Tour backs ban on anchored putting stroke
European Tour backs ban on anchored putting stroke
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
