The DP World Tour is one of the world’s premier men’s professional golf tours, serving as Europe’s main international golf circuit. It features elite players from around the globe, high-profile tournaments across multiple continents, and a direct pathway to the world’s top golf competitions.
Formerly known as the European Tour, the DP World Tour represents the global expansion of European golf and plays a major role in the modern professional golf landscape.
What Is the DP World Tour?
The DP World Tour is a year-round professional golf tour sanctioned by the European Tour Group. While its roots are in Europe, the tour hosts events across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, making it one of the most international tours in professional sports.
It is widely regarded as the second-most prestigious men’s golf tour behind the PGA Tour, with many of the world’s top golfers competing on both tours.
Why Is It Called the DP World Tour?
In 2022, the European Tour rebranded as the DP World Tour after a long-term title sponsorship agreement with global logistics company DP World. The rebrand reflected the tour’s international reach while maintaining its European heritage.
How the DP World Tour Season Works
The DP World Tour season runs nearly all year and includes multiple tournament categories:
- Rolex Series events (flagship tournaments with larger prize pools)
- National Open championships (such as the French Open and Italian Open)
- Global swing events across different regions
- DP World Tour Championship (season finale in Dubai)
Players earn points throughout the season toward the Race to Dubai, the tour’s season-long standings.
What Is the Race to Dubai?
The Race to Dubai is the DP World Tour’s official season-long competition. Golfers accumulate ranking points based on tournament finishes, with the top players qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship.
Winning the Race to Dubai is considered one of the highest honors in professional golf outside the major championships.
DP World Tour and the PGA Tour Relationship
The DP World Tour has a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour, allowing:
- Co-sanctioned tournaments
- Dual membership opportunities for players
- Easier pathways between tours
- Shared ranking and qualification benefits
This partnership has strengthened the global structure of professional golf and increased opportunities for international players.
Who Plays on the DP World Tour?
The DP World Tour features:
- Rising European talents
- Established global stars
- Players from over 30 countries
- Major champions and Ryder Cup competitors
Many elite golfers begin their careers on the DP World Tour before moving on to global stardom.
Why the DP World Tour Matters
The DP World Tour is essential to professional golf because it:
- Develops world-class talent
- Provides global competition opportunities
- Feeds players into major championships
- Plays a central role in Ryder Cup qualification
It remains a cornerstone of international golf and a key alternative pathway to the PGA Tour.
Final Thoughts
The DP World Tour is far more than just a European golf circuit — it is a truly global professional tour that shapes the future of men’s golf. With elite competition, worldwide events, and deep ties to the sport’s biggest stages, the DP World Tour continues to be one of the most important organizations in professional golf.