PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan believes that the DP World Tour is already seeing the benefit of the strategic alliance and that fans will also reap rewards off the back of the partnership’s success.
The DP World Tour and PGA Tour extended its strategic alliance in June, guaranteeing that those in Europe will be playing for record prize funds from 2023 while offering the top-10 on the Race to Dubai not already exempt a PGA Tour card at the end of next season.
“Our alliance is going to continue to take shape and serve to the benefit of golf fans throughout Europe and throughout the world,” Monahan told Sky Sports. “The DP World Tour and Keith Pelley are going to be a huge part of that.
“We’re going to continue to talk about ways we can continue to add value and strength to the DP World Tour.
“Coming off BMW [PGA Championship], coming off Italy, looking at the weeks ahead, looking at the strength of ticket sales, there is tremendous momentum behind the work that we’re doing.
“If you’re a fan of professional golf at the highest level, having these two tours coming together is going to continue to benefit you. That’s who we’re serving, and we’ll continue to do that.”
From 2024, the schedule is set for further revamps and a return to the singular calendar year. Not only will there be no more wraparound season but it’s hoped that elevated events comprising elite fields will go global by then to the benefit of golf fans around the world.
“We’re going to know where the best players on the PGA Tour, the best players of the world, are playing over the course of the season,” Monahan added. “We also know that they’re going to be announcing additional events to their schedule in what is an already truncated schedule.
“You’re going to have more heat, more intensity in the heart of the competitive framework of our schedule – around the big championships.
“This comes on the heels of what fans have continued to see and experience on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour – this excitement that continues to build and support the growth of this game.”
“It’s our job to continue to listen to the fans, continue to listen to our members, and continue to do everything we can to produce a highly competitive platform with competitive integrity,” Monahan added.
“The criticism, to me, I embrace because ultimately, having the support of the best players in the world, having them take ownership of their tour and having them provide some direction that they think – from a competitive standpoint – is going to help the tour grow and get stronger.
“If you’re not embracing it, then you shouldn’t be in this seat.”
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