Global golf alliance formed by Asian Tour, DP World Tour, and PGA TOUR
The Asian Tour, DP World Tour, and PGA TOUR have announced a new multi-year partnership set to continue through at least 2029. This collaboration aims to create new opportunities within global golf, building on an existing Strategic Alliance between the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour.
Effective immediately, the partnership will focus on providing commercial and playing opportunities, as well as establishing pathways for top-performing Asian Tour members. These playing rights are scheduled to begin with the 2027 DP World Tour season.
Expanding Opportunities for Players
Under the new agreement, leading players from the Asian Tour will gain access to either the DP World Tour or the HotelPlanner Tour. Specific details regarding these pathways are expected to be announced later in the fall.
The DP World Tour will also resume co-sanctioning selected tournaments with the Asian Tour, starting in 2027. The full schedule of these events will be outlined later this year when the DP World Tour releases its calendar for the next season.
Christian Hardy, PGA TOUR senior vice president of international, stated that the agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when organizations share a common vision for professional golf’s future. He emphasized the goal of building a more connected global golf ecosystem and welcoming the Asian Tour into this collective effort.
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for players, enhance significant National Opens globally, and strengthen the development of future elite talent. This move is seen as a proactive step by the PGA TOUR in shaping the future of professional golf and evolving its Strategic Alliance.
A Renewed Collaboration
The DP World Tour and Asian Tour previously maintained a Strategic Alliance from 2016 to 2021. Their formal relationship began in February 1999, when the Malaysian Open became the first tournament to be co-sanctioned by both tours.
Historically, the two tours have co-sanctioned a total of 108 tournaments. Additionally, 21 events have been tri-sanctioned, involving either the Sunshine Tour or the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, expressed that the timing is appropriate for collaborating with the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR to enhance the Asian Tour for its members, fans, and partners. He believes that uniting the three tours under one partnership will expand the reach of professional golf in Asia.
Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament and Operations Officer for the DP World Tour, highlighted the delight in rekindling the historic relationship with the Asian Tour and strengthening it with the inclusion of the PGA TOUR. He noted that the formal pathways established by this partnership will offer unprecedented international opportunities for Asian Tour members, marking a positive step for golf in Asia and a new era of global collaboration.
The new alliance aims to award cards from the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit to both the DP World Tour and Europe’s secondary Hotel Planner Tour. Players who advance on the DP World Tour can then compete for one of the 10 PGA Tour cards awarded annually through their Strategic Alliance.
This partnership is effective immediately and will run through at least 2029.
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Source: pgatour.com
