Latest Collaboration Makes DP World Tour Look Like a Minor League for the PGA Tour

Since the much-talked-about framework agreement among the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was announced in June, we’ve heard plenty from the PGA Tour and the PIF sides. From the DP World Tour? Not so much.

But a series of announcements that have come since the framework agreement was announced is making it look like the DPWT will become another feeder league into the PGA Tour, probably landing somewhere above the Korn Ferry Tour but on a more international scale.

On Monday, it was announced that players who finish from Nos. 126-200 in FedEx Cup points will be eligible for full tour cards on the DPWT. There are plenty of reactions to the ripple effect this creates.

Another way to look at it. 10 players are leaving DP World Tour to go play PGA Tour next year. So that opens up 10 more spots that are usually taken. 5 will be filled with Challenge Tours/Q School players and another 5 possibly with PGA Tour conditional members. https://t.co/HztV6qwOK7

— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) October 24, 2023

PGA Tour and DP World Tour continue to lean into “strategic alliance.” Now, in addition to top 10 (not already exempt) DP World Tour players getting PGA Tour cards, struggling PGA Tour players can land on the DPWT.

Now we need the PGA Tour to adopt the best DPWT events. https://t.co/VSuLHS1XwZ

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) October 23, 2023

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the top-10 finishers in the season-long Race to Dubai standings on the DPWT (who weren’t previously eligible) will be eligible for full PGA Tour cards for 2024. And in August, the DPWT announced a playoff format for their 2024 schedule, which also avoids holding big events opposite the PGA Tour’s signature events next year.

It’s all part of a “strategic alliance” that was announced by both tours in 2022, but it appears that the DPWT will lose it’s bigger names each year in exchange for struggling PGA Tour players.

While we still don’t know how LIV Golf will factor into golf’s New World Order (if a deal among all sides is reached by the Dec. 31 deadline, which is certainly in question), we’re starting to see where the DP World Tour will be in the pecking order.

Cover Image via Golf Digest