Global pathways driving Asian rising stars to PGA Tour

The establishment of strategic alliances between many of the regional golf circuits and the DP World Tour has provided new impetus for Asia's rising stars to shoot for coveted places in the PGA Tour.

The DP World Tour will conclude its four-leg Asian Swing at this week's Volvo China Open, following the conclusion of events in Singapore, India and Japan, which is allowing aspiring golfers from the four countries to dream of propelling their careers onto the highest level.

From partnerships established with the Japan Golf Tour Organization, Korean PGA Tour, China Golf Association and Professional Golf Tour of India, the respective No 1s from those circuits will earn DP World Tour playing status and from there, the pathway has one final destination as the Top-10 from the DP World Tour's Race to the Dubai rankings, not otherwise exempt, will secure dual memberships and coveted PGA Tour cards.

"The PGA Tour is, of course, the ultimate tour to be on," said Gavin Green, the only Malaysian on the DP World Tour since 2018. "I think every kid who plays always has dreams to end up there. I think the DP World Tour Top-10 to the PGA Tour is a great incentive."

Golf's international eco-system has already begun to reap the "play better" mantra, which reinforces the ideals of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to safeguard the concept of meritocracy in the sport. Essentially, if you become the top player at home, you get promoted to the DP World Tour, which has 44 events across the globe and approximately $150 million in prize funds. Finish top-10 there, and the PGA Tour awaits.

Last week's ISPS Handa Championship in Gotemba, Japan, with Mount Fuji as the backdrop, saw a third Japanese winner in Yuto Katsuragawa emerging this season on the DP World Tour, following in the footsteps of Rikuya Hoshino and Keita Nakajima who were victorious in Qatar and Singapore, respectively.

Former world amateur No 1 Keita Nakajima is looking to scale new heights following a wire-to-wire four-stroke victory in the Hero Indian Open last month. Naturally, he has also set his sights on the PGA Tour.

The 23-year-old Nakajima believes the new pathways are pushing aspiring golfers to aim for the stars. "I'm very grateful to the JGTO and DP World Tour," said Nakajima, who was Japan's No 1 last season. "Knowing that placing first on the (JGTO) money list will get you a DP World Tour card is added motivation to play better. Many Japanese players will look to compete here as a way to make it onto the PGA Tour. I hope I can continue to play well and make my way to the PGA Tour and become an example to other Japanese players who have the same aspirations."

With the Volvo China Open featuring on the DP World Tour schedule this week following a four-year hiatus, the likes of Li Haotong and Wu Ashun, who are multiple winners on the DP World Tour, will relish the opportunity to play on home turf. The 28-year-old Li, who is a three-time DP World Tour winner and China's first golfer to play in the Presidents Cup in 2019, has shown signs of a resurgence after a challenging past couple of years with indifferent form and numerous missed cuts that he cares to remember. He has never held a PGA Tour card, and it remains to be seen if he can fulfill his early promise which includes a memorable third-place finish at The Open Championship in 2017.

"So many people behind me, parents, friends, telling me how good I am, reminding me I can do this," said Li, whose biggest career title to date was the 2018 Dubai Desert Classic where he outduelled Rory McIlroy in a head-to-head showdown. "I've been thinking that, if I had worked this hard and still couldn't make anything, I would find something else to do. But the results tell me I can keep going."

While the Chinese golfers get their opportunity this week, South Korean golfers will await eagerly for the Genesis Championship to return to Seoul in October for their chance to shine.

The writer is senior director, marketing and communications – APAC for the PGA Tour and is based in Malaysia.