The last 12 months have been a year like no other in the world of golf. The emergence of the LIV Series has rocked the sport to its core, and left traditionalists at the top of the game facing unparalleled challenges.
No one has faced these challenges more than the powers that be at the DP World Tour. Just over one year ago European golf was left on its knees after being on the receiving end of the heaviest defeat in Ryder Cup history at the hands of the American rivals.
On the back of their hammering, all the Europeans needed was the threat of a new-found tour - especially one with the financial powers of the Saudi-funded series. With a new and unprecedented year upon the sport, here is a look at some of the hurdles Keith Pelley and co will have to take on.
LIV Golf threat
As already mentioned, one the biggest challenges European golf will have to face is the ongoing threat from the LIV Golf Series. It has been no secret that the DP World Tour has often been left in the shadow of its supposed ally the PGA Tour in recent years.
Therefore, all the Wentworth-based circuit needed was yet another place for the world's best golfers to ply their trade. One of European golf's most documented challenges has been losing its players to the glitz, glamour and pay checks of golf in the United States.
And now with mega-money winnings - whilst playing less golf - even more accessible via the Saudi riches on the breakaway circuit, their battle to keep players onside and playing on the DP World Tour week-in-week-out has become a whole lot harder.
World ranking drama
In a season of changes, one of the most notable ones in the world of golf has been the revamp of the sport's world ranking system. In August the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) introduced a new-look system in order to 'incorporate modern statistical techniques, which allows players and eligible tournaments to be more accurately evaluated relative to each other'.
Whilst these changes on the surface looked to be only enhancing the professional game, many feel that the DP World Tour are once again the ones who are losing out. Last weekend's golf proved to be the perfect example of this, as the Wentworth-based circuit headed to Dubai for its annual season finale.
As always the newly-named DP World Tour championship showcased a stellar field, with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick all taking to the desert. Remarkably though, the new ranking system seem to favour the lesser RSM Classic over on the PGA Tour, with more ranking points an offer to those competing in the States rather than the stars in Dubai.
The defence behind the awarding were said to be down to the DP World Tour's event containing a reduced field, but if European golf's most lucrative event is struggling for ranking recognition, what hope do the powers that be have for the rest of their campaign?
The strength of Team USA
Away from the regular season, the biggest moment in European golf comes when they lock horns with their American rivals for the Ryder Cup. After two decades of success though, it seems tougher times are on the horizon for the Europeans, with last year's event proving to be a telling week for Team Europe's future prospects.
It is no secret that the new breed of American blood is a strong one. The likes of Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth all find themselves in or approaching their best, and following last year's battering of the Europeans it seems their dominance is only just beginning.
Padraig Harrington's European team were blown away in Wisconsin, after falling to the heaviest defeat in the match-play event's modern history. And with their next meeting now less than 12 months away, European golf bosses face a mammoth test to produce a team capable of competing with their firing American opponents.
Changing of the guard
Whilst Team USA find themselves with their strongest team in recent memory, the Europeans are stuck in somewhat of a transitional period. In the midst of their ongoing saga with LIV Golf, the DP World Tour have lost three of their stalwart players in Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.
The trio have been pivotal to Europe's success in recent years, and have been ever-present in blue and gold across the last two decades. Team Europe bosses are set to find themselves without their famous talismen of years gone by, with the setup set to snub any player with membership with the Saudi-backed series from the team.
Regardless of whether Poulter, Garcia and Westwood would have made the team or not following their new-found loyalties, one that is for sure is the three stalwart players have left huge holes that need feeling.
