For Hong Kong’s Kho and China’s Ding, the DP World Tour represents the best chance to reach pinnacle of golf
- The tour’s swing through Asia is highlighting the opportunities for likes of Taichi Kho and Ding Wenyi through it’s strategic alliance with others
- This week’s tournament will take place at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand
The DP World Tour’s swing through Asia moves onto Thailand this week, and again will give the region’s aspiring golfers a chance to chase history and cement their legacy in the game.
In the past, the likes of Zhang Lian-wei of China, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and India’s Arjun Atwal have claimed historic wins in DP World Tour-sanctioned tournaments across Asia, and reaped immediate rewards by earning playing rights in what was formerly known as the European Tour.
The stakes are now so much higher, with a total of 10 PGA Tour cards up for grabs, giving the best on the DP World Tour the chance to gain direct entry to the pinnacle of the men’s professional game.
“This year, a lot of players will target for that, including me,” said China’s Wu Ashun, who finished tied 12th in Singapore on Sunday, the first of three stops on the swing, which culminates in India.
“I’ve played on the DP World Tour for a long time, and I like this tour,” Wu added. “Having 10 spots for the PGA Tour is great, a lot of players will focus on that so it will be very interesting to compete in any tournament this year. We are from Asia, so travel is pretty hard for us, but it’s a good challenge for us and every player too – trying to keep in our best condition for every tournament, play your best and try to get a PGA Tour card.”
China can already boast of having Marty Dou and Carl Yuan plying their trade in North America after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour. In 2018, compatriot Li Haotong, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, finished ninth in the Race to Dubai ranking, a feat he needs to replicate to secure one of 10 PGA Tour cards at stake this year.
The strengthening of a strategic alliance between the US and European tours, which was initially formed in 2020, has since created clear career pathways for Asia’s rising stars to emerge onto the biggest stage in golf.
For Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, who played in the Singapore Classic last week but missed the cut, and Chinese amateur star Ding Wenyi, the reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion, who finished in a tie for 23rd, they know the opportunities are there to propel into the big leagues.
“The 10 PGA Tour cards is good,” said Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who spent five years on the PGA Tour before losing his status last season. “This creates opportunities for a new generation of golfers to play on a higher tour. As for me, I’m trying to play decent golf again on the DP World Tour, maybe win a couple and then get back onto the PGA Tour.”
With other strategic alliances forged late year between the two bigger tours and Japan Golf Tour, Korean PGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and PGA of Australia, players from the various domestic circuits will now enjoy various opportunities to play their way onto the DP World Tour, and subsequently have a shot at the PGA Tour.
With the US$2 million Thailand Classic being played at Amata Spring Country Club this week followed by the Hero Indian Open next week, Wu and Li will be gunning for a strong showing to build a foundation towards a successful campaign in 2023.
India’s Shubhankar Sharma also hopes to see more of his countrymen joining him on the DP World Tour after compatriot Manu Gandas become the first PGTI player to earn a tour card through the new alliance, which benefits include the launch of two new Challenge Tour events in India.
“The DP World Tour’s alliance with the Indian Tour for the winner of the Order of Merit could be a game changer. There will also be spots in Qualifying School. This means over the next two to three years, we will have more Indians with a card on the DP World Tour,” he said.
Following this month’s three-leg swing in Asia, the DP World Tour will return to the Far East in late April for new tournaments in Japan, the ISPS Handa Championship, and Korea Championship, both offering US$2 million prize funds.
Chuah Choo Chiang is senior director, marketing and communications – APAC for the PGA Tour and is based in Kuala Lumpur.
