Thomas Bjorn is expected to quit one of the most important jobs in European golf.

The 38-year-old Dane, seen as a contender for the Ryder Cup captaincy in the future, has been chairman of the Tour players committee for the past two years.

But a week after scathing criticism of Padraig Harrington for voicing opposition to a possible tightening up of membership rules, Bjorn admitted he was "90%" certain to stand down.

"I've been thinking about this for a while," said Bjorn. "I've not officially resigned yet, but it will take some convincing for me to continue.

"It's absolutely not to do to Padraig. To be fair to myself and my golf I have too much to deal with.

"It took its toll on Mark James, it certainly did on Jamie Spence and it's taking a toll on me."

Bjorn, who had to take a lengthy break from the game this summer and even had a brain scan because of dizziness and extreme fatigue, also said he is likely to stay on the committee only if a new structure is put in place where it is not an active player who acts as chairman.

Ryder Cup captain and committee member Colin Montgomerie said: "Thomas is super, great. He's very passionate about the Tour and that's what we need."

Harrington, not on the committee, has been invited by executive director George O'Grady to tonight's meeting to air his views on the future of the Tour.

With a view to helping a number of events in Europe through the economic crisis, a debate had started on whether to ask players to make an increased commitment.

"I don't believe in protectionism - I wonder if there may be a case for the European Union,"
Harrington had said on hearing of the suggestion.
Bjorn reacted by telling Press Association Sport last week: "I don't know where Padraig is coming from and he always uses the press.

"For him to threaten going to the European Union is out of order. It's his committee - he does not seem to understand that. He seems to think that he is above it.

"I don't want to have a war of words with him, but we are a committee of 15 and that includes people like Monty, (Darren) Clarke, Stenson, Karlsson, Jimenez and McGinley.

"They have all been out here a long time, so whose opinion are we going to give more weight to? He may have won three majors, but Monty has won eight Order of Merits and knows all there is to know about the Tour."

Bjorn and Harrington, team-mates at the 2002 Ryder Cup, met on Tuesday to discuss what had happened and both are adamant their 14-year friendship will not be harmed.

Harrington said: "I'm happy to throw my tuppence into any argument. Life would be no fun if we didn't have dissension. That's how good decisions get made."

But asked if he might now serve on the committee, the three-time major winner commented: "I'm playing golf - I don't have time to be on a committee."

He also said he thought it was coincidental that Bjorn's likely resignation was coming so soon after their exchange.

Harrington certainly seems ready to fight his corner at the meeting, calling it "narrow-minded" if the focus is put on making sure events in Europe have better fields.

"We've got to embrace the world - in my eyes we have to go global," he stated. "The US tour is number one, Europe is number two and the only way a number two can compete with a number one is to merge with three, four and five - Asia, South Africa and Japan.

"Where is our greatest growth area going forward? It's got to be Asia."