The partnership between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour grew in significance following LIV Golf’s rise in 2022.
Formal ties were put in place between the two tours back in 2020, and two years later, the PGA Tour took a more active role with its investment.
Part of that agreement involved increased financial support for the DP World Tour and included a route for European players to transition to the US tour.
As it stands now, the top 10 players on the Race to Dubai who don’t already have PGA Tour status are given cards for the next season.
PGA Tour must limit DP World Tour spots says Smylie Kaufman
That certainly adds some tension at the DP World Tour Championship every year. Many fans will recall Rory McIlroy’s relief in 2024 when he learned that Tom McKibbin had secured a spot.
Although, it was never meant to be for the latter, who eventually left to join LIV Golf regardless.
For those who did get their PGA Tour card for 2025, most struggled to establish themselves in the United States.
Kaufman explained: “I’ll start with what I think is wrong about the DP World Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour and the amount of spots that are given to both of those leagues. DP, 10’s too many. The talent level, it just hasn’t proven enough to me to grant 10.”
“Five seems like a better number where I feel like there should be five extra spots given to the Korn Ferry Tour with top 25 on that tour. So you’re not taking away spots from the overall amount, it’s more just adding some to the Korn Ferry, taking some away from the DP. I don’t think that’s wrong right now.
“My opinion might change on that in future years but with LIV Golf around, they seem to be plucking away some talent from the DP World Tour year after year. Especially with how they fill out their lineups on some of these teams that are not star-power names.”
PGA Tour debutants from the DP World Tour in 2024: How did they fare in this Season
Looking at the group of players who made the jump this year, it’s hard to disagree with Kaufman’s assessment.
Rasmus Hojgaard arrived with plenty of buzz. The Danish youngster even made his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black, but his first season in America didn’t quite match the early expectations.He only posted two top-10 finishes but still managed to hold on to his card for 2026.
READ MORE: Paul McGinley selects Europe’s best ever golfer between Rory McIlroy and Sir Nick Faldo
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
