European Tour chief executive George O'Grady has not ruled out cutting the prize fund for the Race to Dubai and the season-ending Dubai World Championship. O'Grady told reporters Wednesday he would visit Dubai next month to discuss the Tour's agreement with sponsors Nakheel. “We haven't told them (the players) we are considering offering to drop the prize fund, but we're not denying it may happen,” he said. “We will be making a statement after my visit.” The Race to Dubai comprises about 53 tournaments to be played before the $20 million finale at the Jumeirah Golf Estates from Nov. 19-22. The top 20 in the Dubai World Championship will share a prize fund of $10 million and the same amount will be split between the top 15 in the final Race to Dubai money list. “At the moment, everything is proceeding as per contract but we can't be immune to what is happening in the (Dubai) region,” O'Grady said at the Kennemer club, host to this week's Dutch Open. “The economic downturn has taken its toll and I've been invited to see how things are. “People aren't being paid in Dubai and we may have to share the pain. We may have to make an offer. The length of contract will (also) be discussed.” Original sponsor Leisurecorp, which ploughed $100 million into the tour this year as part of a five-year agreement, was taken over by state
