EUROPEAN TOUR chief executive George O’Grady said he will study the tapes of the BBC’s BMW PGA championship coverage after complaints from viewers and tournament players about the content, writes Steve Scott, golf correspondent.

Nick Dougherty described some of Peter Alliss’s negative comments as “disgusting,” while there was fury at the corporation’s decision in England to shut down coverage before Saturday’s play was complete.

The tour are also thought to be furious with some of the BBC’s pictures, which on several occasions concentrated on long shots of spectators sleeping or children playing on the Wentworth course.

Alliss poured scorn on the field struggling in the wind on Saturday, claiming contemporary players had not been taught how to play in such conditions properly.

O’Grady said, “We heard the views from various commentators.

“As regards not showing the end of play on Saturday, there will be discussions with our broadcasters as to exactly why that has happened and what is the reason for it.”

He continued, “We have put many challenges on Sky TV over the years, and they have met every single one —coping with Monday finishes and delays.”

He disagreed with the suggestion BBC coverage was “like a requiem for a manic depressive.”

“If I have any problem, I’ll discuss it with the BBC head of sport first, but I’m not going to agree with that.

“I haven’t seen all the tape yet, but I make it my business to do so.”

He added that he believed it was possible that Turnberry could host a WGC event at some point, but said it was unlikely to get the Ryder Cup in the forseeable future.

The south Ayrshire resort was recently purchased by Leisurecorp, the Dubai-based company with which the European Tour has a money-spinning deal to run the Race to Dubai and Dubai world championship events from next year.

David Spencer, Leisure-corp Golf’s chief executive, said it was their intention to host “a regular tournament” at all their owned venues.

“I don’t think they will want anything to conflict with hosting the Open Championship, and will be doing everything in their power to ensure that next year is a success and the R&A are convinced to come back,” said O’Grady.

“I don’t think an annual event is what they are looking for, but a tournament that has no regular venue—such as the WGC events—could well be possible.”

O’Grady added that drug testing on tour is due to start at the European Open or at the Barclays Scottish Open in July.

He said, “I understand the PGA of America have indicated they will test at the PGA Championship, which will be the first major, and that we will have it on site for the Ryder Cup if considered necessary.”