Cash crisis means golf's first Dubai World Championship could also be its last

The war of words between Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie has failed to stop a much more serious issue also being the talk of Turnberry — golf’s financial crisis.

Despite denials from European Tour chief executive George O’Grady, whispers continue that this year’s Race to Dubai, culminating in the $10million Dubai World Championship, will be the first and last.

Tour sponsor Leisurecorp, who signed a five-year $150m deal in November 2007, suffered so much in the global financial crisis that the Dubai government placed them under the control of state company Nakheel in May.

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