More European access to PGA Tour from next year after LIV attrition

By Rahul Banerji

The PGA Tour will open its doors further to Europe with the leading 10 players on the DP World list getting direct access to the US from next year.

Another path to the world’s leading golf circuit is the return of Qualifying School from which the top five and ties will earn PGA Tour status.

The measures and a slew of others announced earlier will make both prospects and cash available to a larger pool of players than was the case previously.

Under pressure from LIV Golf, both tours, which announced a “strategic alliance” in late 2020 have moved to restrict further damage and also create more opportunities for existing members.

Effectively though, this has the potential to reduce the European Tour to feeder status with a good number of Europe’s best players already holding PGA Tour membership.

On Tuesday, the leaders of both tours issued a statement outlining details of the upcoming changes that come into effect next year.

Need for change

Speaking at a joint briefing with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, European tour chief executive Keith Pelley acknowledged the need for change.

“It’s pretty obvious to say the current situation in golf has significantly accelerated that process,” Pelley said.

Added Monahan, “Ultimately for us it’s all about creating the best, most efficient competitive platform for the best players in the world.”

In a statement, the two tours said, “The DP World Tour and the PGA Tour have moved to … help develop players to compete at the pinnacle of men’s professional golf, by unveiling a ground-breaking new 13-year operational joint venture partnership.

“The partnership, through to 2035, builds on the success of the existing Strategic Alliance between the two Tours that was unveiled in November 2020 which has already seen tangible benefits for members of both Tours.

“… Not least of those is the co-sanctioning of the Scottish Open alongside access for both memberships into the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship on the PGA Tour.

Fruitful partnership

“Collaboration has already borne fruit for the DP World Tour with the introduction of new tournament title sponsors such as Genesis and Horizon and new Tour partners such as Fortinet and Velocity Global.”

As part of the new joint venture, the PGA Tour will increase its existing stake in European Tour Productions from 15 per cent to 40 per cent.

The DP World Tour said it would guarantee growth in prize funds to its membership for the next five years, all above the record 2022 levels unveiled last November.

“With today’s announcement, DP World Tour members will now have direct and formal access to the PGA Tour,” the statement said.

“To achieve that, from 2023, the leading ten players on the end of season DP World Tour Rankings (in addition to those already exempt) will earn PGA Tour cards for the following season.”

“The new venture will provide additional competitive opportunities for professional golfers of both Tours and also establish a clearly defined pathway for top players around the world.

“Players from the Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, with whom the DP World Tour already has existing Strategic Alliances, now enjoy a formal pathway to the DP World Tour.”

More seats

Monahan had earlier said his organisation would also increase the number of Korn Ferry (feeder) Tour qualifiers to 30 and direct access from Q School for the first time in nine years.

This, in addition to fresh scheduling, a lot more prize money and eight new tournaments.

“The DP World Tour will work closely on the development and implementation of the new international events announced by Tour Commissioner Monahan and members will gain access to those events,” the statement added.

“This move will significantly enhance the meritocracy that has successfully served the professional game on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 50 years. 

“It is a natural extension and progression of what we have been doing over the past few years,” Pelley was quoted as saying.

“Our two tours have undoubtedly drawn closer over the past few years and today’s announcement strengthens both Tours for the betterment of both memberships.” 

Also read: PGA Tour opens door to European Tour as part of ‘Strategic Alliance’