A Comprehensive Guide to the World’s Major Professional Golf Tours

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world, and its popularity has led to the creation of various professional golf tours. These tours attract the best golfers from around the globe, and they compete in various tournaments and events throughout the year. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a closer look at the world’s major professional golf tours, including the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the LPGA Tour, and others. We will explore the history of each tour, the events they host, and the players who have made them famous. Whether you are a die-hard golf fan or simply curious about the sport, this guide has something for everyone. So, let’s get started and explore the exciting world of professional golf tours!

The Four Major Professional Golf Tours

The PGA Tour

About the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the premier professional golf tour in the world, and it was founded in 1916. It is based in the United States and is made up of 47 tournaments, including the four major championships. The PGA Tour has a rich history and has produced some of the greatest golfers of all time, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson.

Overview of Events and Tournaments

The PGA Tour has a diverse range of events and tournaments, including the four major championships, which are the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open Championship, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. In addition to these major championships, the PGA Tour also features events such as the Players Championship, the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

Significance and Prestige

The PGA Tour is considered the pinnacle of professional golf, and winning on the tour is a major accomplishment for any golfer. The four major championships are the most prestigious events in golf, and they are highly coveted by golfers around the world. The PGA Tour also has a large following and generates significant revenue, making it one of the most lucrative sports tours in the world.

The European Tour

About the European Tour

The European Tour is one of the four major professional golf tours in the world, and it is widely regarded as the oldest and most prestigious tour outside of the United States. It was founded in 1972 by the late John Jacobs, who was a renowned golf course architect and a former captain of the European Ryder Cup team. The European Tour has since grown to become a global tour, with events held in over 30 countries across five continents.

The European Tour hosts a variety of events and tournaments throughout the year, including four major championships, 24 regular season events, and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. The major championships are The Masters Tournament (European Qualifying), The Open Championship (European Qualifying), the BMW PGA Championship, and the Ryder Cup. In addition to these events, the European Tour also hosts several other high-profile tournaments, such as the Dubai World Championship, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, and the Irish Open.

The European Tour is significant and prestigious because it is home to some of the world’s best golfers, including major champions, Ryder Cup players, and world-ranked players. The tour is also known for its challenging courses, diverse geography, and exciting events, which attract large crowds and extensive media coverage. The European Tour has a rich history, with many legendary players and memorable moments, and it continues to be a driving force in the growth and development of golf around the world.

The LPGA Tour

About the LPGA Tour

The LPGA Tour, established in 1950, is the longest-running professional golf tour for women. It was initially known as the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour, and its first event was held in 1950 at the Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. Over the years, the LPGA Tour has expanded its reach, and today it hosts tournaments in various countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea.

The LPGA Tour hosts a variety of events, including regular season tournaments, major championships, and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Regular season tournaments are held throughout the year, with the majority taking place in the United States. Major championships, on the other hand, are the most prestigious events on the LPGA Tour, and they include the following:

The Masters Tournament (Women’s Division)
U.S. Women’s Open Championship
Women’s British Open Championship
ANA Inspiration
LPGA Championship
CME Group Tour Championship

The LPGA Tour is widely regarded as the most prestigious professional golf tour for women. It has produced some of the greatest female golfers of all time, including Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth, and Annika Sorenstam. The LPGA Tour has also been instrumental in promoting women’s golf and has helped to increase the visibility and popularity of the sport.

The PGA Tour of Australasia

About the PGA Tour of Australasia

Brief history: The PGA Tour of Australasia was established in 1970, making it one of the youngest major professional golf tours in the world. The tour was created to provide a platform for professional golfers in Australia and New Zealand to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.
Overview of events and tournaments: The PGA Tour of Australasia hosts a series of tournaments throughout the year, including the Australian Open Championship, the New Zealand Open Championship, and the PGA Championship of Australia. The tour also features several other events, such as the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Masters.
Significance and prestige: The PGA Tour of Australasia is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in the world. The tour attracts some of the best golfers from around the globe, and winning on the PGA Tour of Australasia is considered a significant achievement in the golfing world.

Tournaments and Events

The Masters Tournament (Australasia Qualifying): The Masters Tournament is one of the four major championships in professional golf, and the PGA Tour of Australasia qualifies players for this prestigious event. The top-ranked golfer on the PGA Tour of Australasia at the end of each season earns a spot in The Masters, along with any other golfers who qualify through other means.
Australian Open Championship: The Australian Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The tournament is open to both professional and amateur golfers, and it attracts a strong field of competitors from around the world.
New Zealand Open Championship: The New Zealand Open Championship is another prestigious event on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The tournament is held annually in New Zealand and attracts a strong field of golfers from around the world.
PGA Championship of Australia: The PGA Championship of Australia is one of the oldest and most prestigious events on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The tournament is open to professional golfers from around the world, and it is considered one of the most important events on the tour.
Emirates Australian Open: The Emirates Australian Open is a major tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The event is held annually in Australia and attracts a strong field of golfers from around the world. The tournament is one of the most prestigious events on the tour, and it is considered a major championship in the golfing world.

Other Notable Professional Golf Tours

The Asian Tour

About the Asian Tour

The Asian Tour is a professional golf tour that was founded in 1995 by the Federation of Golf of Asia and the International Federation of PGA Tours. The tour was established to promote the growth of golf in Asia and to provide a platform for Asian golfers to showcase their skills on an international stage. The Asian Tour has since grown to become one of the leading professional golf tours in the world, with events held in over 10 countries across Asia.

The Asian Tour hosts a variety of events and tournaments throughout the year, including regular season events, co-sanctioned events with other tours, and majors. Some of the most notable events on the Asian Tour include:

The Masters Tournament (Asian Qualifying): This event is held in Augusta, Georgia, and is one of the four major championships in professional golf. The Asian Tour holds a qualifying tournament to determine which players will earn a spot in the Masters.
WGC-HSBC Champions: This event is a World Golf Championships event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour. It is held in China and features a field of the world’s top golfers.
BMW PGA Championship (Asian Qualifying): This event is held in England and is one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour. The Asian Tour holds a qualifying tournament to determine which players will earn a spot in the BMW PGA Championship.
Asian Tour Order of Merit: The Asian Tour Order of Merit is a ranking system that determines the leading player on the tour at the end of each season. The player with the highest ranking receives the Order of Merit title and a prize purse.

The Asian Tour is highly regarded in the world of professional golf, and its events are considered to be some of the most prestigious on the international golf calendar. The tour has helped to promote the growth of golf in Asia and has provided a platform for Asian golfers to compete at the highest level. Many of the world’s top golfers have won events on the Asian Tour, and the tour has produced several major champions and Ryder Cup players.

The Sunshine Tour

About the Sunshine Tour

The Sunshine Tour, also known as the European Tour’s Qualifying School, is a professional golf tour that operates primarily in South Africa. It was founded in 1995 as the “Professional Golf Tour of South Africa,” and later rebranded as the Sunshine Tour in 2000. The tour has since grown to become one of the most respected and prestigious regional tours in the world.

The Sunshine Tour hosts a variety of tournaments and events throughout the year, including:

The Masters Tournament (Sunshine Tour Qualifying): This tournament serves as a qualifying event for the prestigious Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in the United States. The top two finishers in the Sunshine Tour’s Masters Tournament earn an invitation to compete in the Masters.
Nedbank Golf Challenge: This tournament is one of the richest events on the Sunshine Tour, with a purse of over $1 million. It is hosted by the Nedbank Group, a major financial services company in South Africa.
South African Open Championship: This tournament is one of the oldest and most prestigious events on the Sunshine Tour. It has been held annually since 1894 and has hosted some of the biggest names in golf over the years.
Sunshine Tour Order of Merit: The Sunshine Tour Order of Merit is a season-long points race that determines the tour’s top player. The player with the most points at the end of the season earns the Order of Merit title and a lucrative bonus.

The Japan Golf Tour

About the Japan Golf Tour

The Japan Golf Tour, established in 1973, is a professional golf tour that operates primarily in Japan. The tour is sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) and features a series of tournaments throughout the country.

The Masters Tournament (Japan Qualifying): This event serves as a qualifier for the prestigious Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club in the United States. The top-three finishers in the Japan Masters Tournament earn invitations to compete in the Masters.
Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters: This is one of the most prestigious events on the Japan Golf Tour, attracting a strong international field. The tournament is held at the Taiheiyo Club in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Dunlop Phoenix Tournament: Also known as the Dunlop Phoenix Japan Cup, this event is one of the richest tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour. It is played at the Phoenix Country Club in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit: The Order of Merit is a points-based system that ranks players on the Japan Golf Tour based on their performance in tournaments throughout the season. The player with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the Order of Merit champion.

The Challenge Tour

About the Challenge Tour

The Challenge Tour is a professional golf tour that operates primarily in Europe and provides a platform for up-and-coming golfers to hone their skills and gain experience in preparation for the more prestigious European Tour. It was established in 1990 and has since grown to become one of the most important developmental tours in the world of golf.

The Challenge Tour hosts a variety of tournaments and events throughout the year, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges. Some of the most notable events include:

The Masters Tournament (Challenge Tour Qualifying)

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in golf and serves as the season-opening tournament for the Challenge Tour. It is held annually at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, and is known for its picturesque setting and demanding course conditions.

European Tour Qualifying School

The European Tour Qualifying School is a series of tournaments held at the end of the Challenge Tour season that determine the players who will earn their European Tour cards for the following year. It is a highly pressurized event that requires players to perform at their best under intense scrutiny.

Challenge Tour Rankings

The Challenge Tour rankings are determined by a points system that rewards players for their performance in each tournament. The top players on the rankings list at the end of the season earn promotion to the European Tour, while those at the bottom may lose their playing privileges.

The Legends Tour

About the Legends Tour

The Legends Tour is a professional golf tour designed specifically for players over the age of 50. It was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Virginia Water, Surrey, England. The tour is operated by the European Tour, which is one of the premier professional golf tours in the world.

The Legends Tour features a variety of events and tournaments throughout the year. These events are held in various countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Some of the most notable tournaments on the Legends Tour include the Senior Open Championships, the Masters Tournament (Legends Tour Qualifying), and the Legends Tour Rankings.

The Legends Tour is highly regarded in the world of professional golf. It provides an opportunity for older players to continue competing at a high level and to showcase their skills to a global audience. The tour has a strong following among golf fans and is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in the world.

The Masters Tournament (Legends Tour Qualifying)

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in professional golf. It is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, and is known for its challenging course and rigorous scoring standards. The Legends Tour Qualifying event is held in conjunction with the Masters Tournament and is open to players over the age of 50 who have previously competed on the PGA Tour or the European Tour.

Senior Open Championships

The Senior Open Championships is a major championship event on the Legends Tour. It is held annually in various countries around the world and is open to players over the age of 50. The tournament is known for its high level of competition and its large prize fund.

Legends Tour Rankings

The Legends Tour Rankings are a system used to determine the relative strength of players on the tour. The rankings are based on a player’s performance in various tournaments and events throughout the year. The top-ranked players on the Legends Tour are considered to be the best players in the world and are highly sought after by sponsors and fans alike.

FAQs

1. What are the main professional golf tours?

There are several professional golf tours around the world, but the main ones are the PGA Tour (based in the United States), the European Tour (based in Europe), the Asian Tour (based in Asia), the Japan Golf Tour (based in Japan), and the PGA Tour of Australasia (based in Australia).

2. What is the PGA Tour?

The PGA Tour is a professional golf tour based in the United States. It was founded in 1916 and is now co-sanctioned by the PGA of America and the PGA Tour. The tour consists of 47 tournaments, including all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The PGA Tour is considered one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in the world.

3. What is the European Tour?

The European Tour is a professional golf tour based in Europe. It was founded in 1972 and is now co-sanctioned by the PGA of Europe and the PGA Tour. The tour consists of over 40 tournaments, including all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The European Tour is considered one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in the world.

4. What is the Asian Tour?

The Asian Tour is a professional golf tour based in Asia. It was founded in 1995 and is now co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the PGA Tour. The tour consists of over 20 tournaments, including all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The Asian Tour is considered one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in Asia.

5. What is the Japan Golf Tour?

The Japan Golf Tour is a professional golf tour based in Japan. It was founded in 1973 and is now co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour and the PGA Tour. The tour consists of over 20 tournaments, including all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The Japan Golf Tour is considered one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in Japan.

6. What is the PGA Tour of Australasia?

The PGA Tour of Australasia is a professional golf tour based in Australia. It was founded in 1970 and is now co-sanctioned by the PGA of Australia and the PGA Tour. The tour consists of over 10 tournaments, including all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The PGA Tour of Australasia is considered one of the most prestigious professional golf tours in Australia.