PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour make huge announcement with historic partnership

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour have announced a landmark partnership that will reshape the future of global golf, with the three organisations joining forces in an agreement running until at least 2029.

The new alliance, effective immediately, will focus on creating greater playing opportunities, expanding commercial partnerships and building clearer pathways for Asian Tour players to progress onto the global stage.

One of the biggest elements of the agreement will see leading Asian Tour members gain playing opportunities on the DP World Tour from the 2027 season, providing a new route for emerging talent to compete at a higher level.

The DP World Tour will also return to co-sanctioning selected Asian Tour events from 2027, with details of those tournaments expected to be confirmed when the DP World Tour announces its new schedule later this season.

The partnership strengthens the existing Strategic Alliance between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, while also renewing a long-standing relationship between the DP World Tour and Asian Tour.

The two tours previously operated a Strategic Alliance between 2016 and 2021, although their connection dates back to 1999 when the Malaysian Open became the first tournament co-sanctioned by both organisations.

Since then, the DP World Tour and Asian Tour have co-sanctioned 108 tournaments, with another 21 events also involving either the Sunshine Tour or PGA Tour of Australasia.

The latest update coming out of the Asian Tour means LIV Golf is now left without the secondary circuit it has held for the past five seasons. LIV invested $300 million in the Asian Tour to create an "International Series" with purses of up to $2 million.

LIV Golf is currently seeking a new financial partner as a result of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently confirming it will no longer fund the league past the end of the 2026 season, which ends next month. 

Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant believes the agreement represents an important moment for golf in Asia and will provide significant benefits for players, fans and commercial partners.

“We feel the time is now right to collaborate with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour to enhance the Asian Tour for our members, fans and partners,” said Cho.

“Bringing the three Tours together under one partnership will increase the bandwidth of the professional game in Asia.”

Cho added that the return of co-sanctioned tournaments would allow Asian Tour players to compete more regularly against international opposition, while welcoming leading players from other tours to events across the region.

DP World Tour Chief Tournament and Operations Officer Ben Cowen said the partnership marked an exciting new chapter for the sport.

“We are delighted to rekindle our historic relationship with the Asian Tour and strengthen it with the addition of the PGA Tour to our new partnership,” Cowen said.

“As Golf’s Global Tour, we bring together the best international talent and the formal pathways established by this partnership will provide unprecedented international opportunities for Asian Tour members.”

The PGA Tour also highlighted the importance of creating a more connected structure across professional golf.

Christian Hardy, PGA Tour Senior Vice President of International, said: “This agreement is another example of what can be accomplished when organisations come together with a shared vision for the future of professional golf.”

The partnership is expected to strengthen tournament fields, increase opportunities for players and help develop the next generation of international stars.

With professional golf continuing to evolve, the agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour represents one of the most significant moves towards a more unified global golf landscape in recent years.