In a historic move, the European Tour will be renamed the DP World Tour from 2022 and in what also will be the 50th anniversary since the foundation of the Tour in 1972.
The name European Tour will remain is administering the Tour, the secondary Challenge Tour, the Legends Tour and also the hosting every four years the Ryder Cup but it will a title change for golf’s second largest tour.
In making the announcement at Expo 20 in Dubai, European Tour CEO Keith Pelley singled out the Tour’s relationship with Dubai and also DP World indicating the first Dubai Desert Classic was held in 1989 and 20-years later the inaugural DP World Tour Championship.
“This announcement is momentous and will herald a new era in global golf,” said Pelley.
“The entire ecosystem of our Tour will be strengthened because of this hugely significant deal, and that was essential to us and to DP World, who have been an incredible supporter of our Tour as well as golf more widely, from grassroots through to the elite professional game.
“The DP World Tour is, therefore, a natural evolution of our decade-long partnership, and the presence of ‘World’ in our new title better reflects our global reach.”
In announcing the re-branding of the Tour, Pelley revealed:
- From 2022 a schedule featuring 47 tournaments in 27 countries and boasting a minimum purse of $US 2m.
- New tournaments will feature in the UAE, Japan, South Africa and Belgium on the 2021-22 schedule, which begins with the Joburg Open from November 25-28.
- An overall 2022 prize purse of $US 140m and that’s not including the majors or WGCs and up by $US 36m on this year.
- By including the 2022 majors and WGCs, the new DP World Tour will boast a prize fund of $US 200m
- The 2022 season-ending DP World Tour Championship will be for a purse of $US 10m and up $US 1m on this year.
- Season 2022 will also feature an expanded Rolex Series – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open and the BMW PGA Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.
The agreement will also see significant investment into prize funds on the Challenge Tour, with increased playing opportunities for players and the new John Jacobs Bursary Award supporting the top five players on the Challenge Tour Rankings with their travel and expenses the following year on the DP World Tour.
