Asian Tour Joins PGA and DP World Tour Alliance Through 2029

The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have formed a strategic alliance with the Asian Tour that includes at least two co-sanctioned events annually for three years.

The PGA Tour, European Tour—commercially known as the DP World Tour—and the Asian Tour have launched a strategic alliance effective immediately through 2029. This global collaboration establishes a formal pathway for Asian Tour members to secure cards on European circuits, mirroring an existing agreement where 10 top DP World Tour performers earn PGA Tour membership. The deal, finalized following meetings at the Open Championship, guarantees at least two co-sanctioned Asian Tour events in each of the next three years, marking a return to a relationship that previously lapsed in 2021.

This development creates a significant hurdle for LIV Golf, which has utilized the Asian Tour as a primary partner since before its 2022 launch. LIV Golf previously committed $300 million to the Asian Tour to establish the "International Series," featuring individual tournament purses reaching $2 million. These high-stakes events have recently seen victories from LIV-affiliated players including Peter Uihlein, Carlos Ortiz, and David Puig. However, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund has indicated it will cease funding the league after the current season, prompting CEO Scott O'Neil to seek new investors to sustain operations into 2027.

Financial and Legal Pressures on LIV Golf

The alliance announcement follows a legal filing by Mobii Systems Group in the U.S. District Court in Miami. The Canadian technology firm is suing LIV Golf for $925,100 in unpaid fees related to the "Any Shot, Any Time" broadcast technology. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks $209,531 for projected revenue losses covering six remaining events in 2026. Internal communications from May 25 revealed that Nick Connor, LIV’s senior vice president of technology, informed Mobii Systems the league would discontinue the service following the South Korea event on May 31 as part of a business model evaluation.

Global Pathways and Tournament Access

Cho Minn Thant, the commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, stated that the partnership will increase the bandwidth of professional golf across Asia. While specific details regarding player access to the Challenge Tour and European events are still being finalized, the framework aims to integrate Asian Tour members into the global stage. Christian Hardy, the PGA Tour’s senior vice president of international, described the move as a step toward a more connected ecosystem that identifies elite talent through strengthened pathways.

Integration of National Opens

The three-tour agreement aligns with recent shifts in major championship qualification, as the Masters added winners of six national opens to its invitation criteria this year. The PGA Tour has also solidified its commercial ties with the Australian Open through its DP World Tour partnership. This collaborative effort marks the first time the DP World Tour has co-sanctioned events with the Asian Tour since their previous five-year alliance ended in 2021. By bringing the three organizations together, officials intend to enhance the competitive landscape for fans and partners while providing members with regular opportunities to compete outside their home region.