The PGA Tour is set to undergo sweeping changes that could have unintended consequences for the golf landscape. Guy Kinnings, the head of the DP World Tour, has seen firsthand how changes in the pro golf world can impact tours and players. The DP World Tour was faced with the decision to take on substantial PIF funding or form a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour. The decision to align with the PGA Tour led to a feeder system that sapped the DP World Tour of talent. Now, Kinnings is closely watching as the PGA Tour plans to reduce its size from 125 full-time members to just 100 by 2026.
The changes to the PGA Tour are intended to improve the quality of the Tour’s competitive product, but they will have consequences for players seeking to enter the highest levels of professional golf. For the DP World Tour, these changes present an opportunity to attract players from diverse backgrounds and improve the overall quality of the tour. Kinnings believes that the changes in the PGA Tour structure may lead players to consider starting their pro-golf journeys in Europe.
Under the proposed new PGA Tour structure, there will be no changes to the current strategic partnership with the DP World Tour. The top 10 finishers on the Euro tour will still receive PGA Tour cards for the following season. However, the number of cards awarded to pros coming from the Korn Ferry Tour will decrease from 30 to 20. Despite this, there are advantages to playing in Europe, such as venue quality and access to outside tournaments, that may benefit prospective Tour stars.
For the DP World Tour, these potential changes in the PGA Tour represent an opportunity to attract more players, including Americans, to its tour. The clear pathway from the Challenge Tour to the DP World Tour could be an attractive option for players looking to make it in the pro golf world. The DP World Tour is focused on strengthening its schedule and could benefit from a new crop of stars emerging from its ranks.
While these changes are not yet set in stone, Kinnings and his team are monitoring the situation closely to see how it may impact their tour. A smaller pro golf game could mean more room for the DP World Tour within the industry. By leveraging its strengths, such as venue quality and a clear pathway for players, the DP World Tour may be able to capitalize on the potential changes in the PGA Tour to strengthen its position in the golf world. Players may start to view the DP World Tour as a viable alternative to the traditional pro golf path, leading to a more competitive and diverse landscape in the professional golf industry.
