Reasons to Get into the DP World Tour in 2026
The DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, has been around since its first season in 1972. Per its website, the DP World Tour is “golf’s global tour,” aiming to showcase global talent in global destinations. However, the tour has always been in the shadow of its mainly American counterpart, the PGA Tour. Despite this, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have been intertwined in many senses. Namely, DP World Tour players, both in the past and present day, have become sights to behold at the PGA Tour level. Additionally, many regulars on the PGA Tour have played and continue to play in DP World Tour events; the courses they play on are also an added bonus.
PGA Tour, and Now LIV, Players on the European Tour Stage
Many prominent golfers in history got their start on the DP World Tour, dating all the way back to guys like Peter Oosterhuis, Seve Ballesteros, and Nick Faldo. Before PGA Tour University gave collegiate golfers a way to earn their status beginning in the 2021 college golf season, the DP World Tour was, and still is, a viable option for aspiring professional golfers to try and gain as much status as possible. Before their triumphs on the American-based PGA Tour, European-born golfers like Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, and Tyrrell Hatton lit up the links across the pond. Even American-bred golfers created a name for themselves on the DP World Tour and/or Challenge Tour; namely, Brooks Koepka, Kurt Kitayama, and Peter Uihlein.
Other than those who are currently trying to make it in professional golf, many current and former PGA Tour players play on the DP World Tour for a multitude of other reasons. For example, McIlroy, Hatton, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, and others play in various Rolex Series events, among other tournaments, in an effort to keep their games sharp and accrue Official World Golf Ranking points, for example. For McIlroy, he has a sense of pride surrounding European golf, telling Golf.com, “I am very proud to be from Europe, and I have sort of played on this tour consistently. I remember when I got my first money clip just when I signed up to be a member; that was a proud moment for me.”
These DP World Tour tournaments are especially important for LIV Tour and former LIV Tour players because, prior to February 3rd, there was a sense of disappointment surrounding the lack of OWGR representation on LIV. Also, the DP World Tour presents the only tournament atmosphere, other than majors, where fans can watch both LIV Tour and PGA Tour members on the same course. Specifically for Reed, who is an honorary lifetime member on the European Tour, he needs to play his way back onto the PGA Tour because he did not qualify for the Returning Member Program. Since leaving LIV, the 2018 Masters winner commented on his future career aspirations. He told Golf Channel, “I am moving forward in my career, and I look forward to competing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.”
The Stars of Tomorrow Play on the DP World Tour
For the past couple of years, the race to Dubai rankings on the DP World Tour grant the top 10 players, not otherwise exempt, full status on the PGA Tour for the next season. Recent PGA Tour winners like Robert MacIntyre and Ryan Fox have obtained status via the race to Dubai rankings. For this year’s PGA Tour season, long-ball hitters like Marco Penge and Kristoffer Reitan, as well as prolific birdie makers like Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Haotong Li, headline those receiving their cards. As for this DP World Tour season, Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open champion Jayden Schaper and Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion Patrick Reed lead the pack of European Tour players trying to earn their PGA Tour card for the 2027 season.
The Unique International Courses Are Underrated Treasures
Whether it be Emirates Golf Club, set against the cityscape of Dubai, Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, footsteps away from Crans-Montana Ski Resort, Delhi Golf Club, maneuvering through the trees of New Delhi, or the fabled Alister MacKenzie-designed Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the DP World Tour schedule makes stops at some of golf’s greatest, yet underrated, venues. For example, courses like Royal Melbourne and Carnoustie are rarely seen in competition or to the public eye, yet the European Tour has hosted tournaments at these gem-like venues. The DP World Tour strives to put international golf on the map; its events at courses scattered across the world do just that. Also, the time zone differences enable American viewers to watch the events at non-traditional hours, particularly past sundown. For example, this year’s DP World Tour season started in Brisbane, Australia, which is 18 hours ahead of Los Angeles, California, enabling golf fans across the United States to tune in to watch golfers tee it up at Royal Queensland Golf Club.
As for this week’s event, the DP World Tour ventures to Doha, Qatar, where entrants will compete in the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club. Notable players include the aforementioned Reed, multiple-time DP World Tour winner Matt Wallace, and former LIV Tour member Eugenio Chacarra. Doha is 11 hours ahead of the Pacific Time Zone, so many in the U.S. can watch the tournament as they wind down for the night. As for Doha Golf Club, its sharply cut bunkers and tightly manicured fairways will be on full display, along with its enhanced beauty thanks to its proximity to the Arabian Sea.
