PGA Tour strengthens global golf ties with major new agreement

The PGA Tour has strengthened its ties with the DP World Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia in a new agreement designed to create more opportunities for players and further connect professional golf worldwide.

The expanded partnership will extend the long-standing relationship between the DP World Tour and the Australasian circuit until the end of 2027, while the BMW Australian PGA Championship has been confirmed as a co-sanctioned event for a further three years, securing its place on the international schedule through at least 2029.

The championship will return to The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from November 26-29, 2026, bringing together leading players from the region and the DP World Tour as part of a wider effort to strengthen pathways between professional golf's major circuits.

The agreement builds on the relationship established in 2017 and renewed in 2022, with the PGA Tour's support adding further weight to the partnership. The three organisations will work together on player progression, tournament development, player services and commercial opportunities.

More opportunities for Australian and New Zealand golfers

The partnership has already provided tangible benefits for Australasian players seeking to establish themselves internationally.

At the recent Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 22 players from Australasia competed on the DP World Tour, with 19 having previously won on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia. Ten earned their places through their performances on the previous season's Order of Merit.

Further opportunities include a full DP World Tour card, two HotelPlanner Tour cards and exemptions into qualifying schools for both the DP World Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.

PGA of Australia and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said the agreement would help build on improvements in prize money, tournament opportunities, major championship exemptions and international access.

He pointed to Min Woo Lee as an example of how the pathway can work, highlighting the Australian's victory at the co-sanctioned Vic Open in 2020 before he went on to win the Scottish Open in 2021 and the Australian PGA Championship in 2023.

Kirkman added that the aim was to provide players with a strong domestic circuit while creating clearer routes to the world stage. He also highlighted the success of Australasian golfers, who have recorded 27 wins across the PGA Tour and DP World Tour since 2020, according to the announcement.

Australian PGA Championship secured through 2029

PGA of Australia chair Ian Baker-Finch said the strengthened relationships were vital to keeping Australia and New Zealand firmly connected to elite international golf.

He described the extended co-sanctioning arrangement for the BMW Australian PGA Championship, alongside the Australian Open's role in the region, as an important opportunity for local players to test themselves against world-class fields at home.

PGA Tour senior vice-president of international Christian Hardy said the agreement would create more meaningful playing opportunities and strengthen the region's role in the global game.

DP World Tour chief tournament and operations officer Ben Cowen also welcomed the deal, describing the partnership as one built on shared values and international opportunity.

With the BMW Australian PGA Championship set to open the DP World Tour's season in November, the agreement provides greater certainty for one of the region's most established tournaments while reinforcing the importance of Australasia as a launchpad for future international stars.