The Asian Tour has joined a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, effective immediately as of Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The deal is set to run through at least 2029.
The Asian Tour Breaks Ties With LIV Golf Following Royal Birkdale Negotiations
The announcement, finalized following high-level discussions during the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, marks a significant shift in the professional golf ecosystem. By aligning with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, the Asian Tour ends a relationship with LIV Golf that began in 2022. That previous partnership had been anchored by the International Series, a collection of tournaments that served as a primary feeder system for LIV Golf’s roster, including the promotion of the top two players from the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit to LIV Golf for the 2026 season.
Pathways to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour
Cho Minn Thant Secures 2027 Membership Pathways for Asian Tour Players
Starting with the 2027 season, the new agreement establishes clear routes for top players from the Asian Tour to advance to higher-tier circuits. The agreement includes the addition of at least two co-sanctioned events between the Asian Tour and DP World Tour for the 2027, 2028, and 2029 seasons. Success on the Asian Tour will provide players with membership opportunities on the DP World Tour and Europe’s secondary HotelPlanner Tour. Once promoted to the DP World Tour, Asian Tour players can compete for one of 10 cards on the PGA Tour for the following season offered via the Strategic Alliance, or by securing a spot inside the top 10 of the Race to Dubai.
Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant, who led the negotiations, emphasized the need for stability in a changing professional environment, noting that he had to consider the longevity of pathways for his members given the uncertain future of LIV Golf.
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,
Cho Minn Thant said in a statement. “Bringing the three Tours together under one partnership will increase the bandwidth of the professional game in Asia. Not only will co-sanctioning events see our members competing regularly on the global stage, but we are excited to welcome players from the other Tours to our pinnacle events.”
Impact on LIV Golf and the International Series
Scott O’Neil Faces Funding Crisis as PIF Saudi International Marks End of LIV Partnership
The alliance represents a major setback for LIV Golf, which in 2022 committed to investing $300 million in the Asian Tour over a decade to create the International Series. The series was central to the promotion and relegation element of LIV Golf and allowed LIV members to earn Official World Golf Ranking points before the league began receiving points this year. According to reporting, the Asian Tour’s shift means it will no longer act as LIV Golf’s important second tier.
While there will be no change to the remaining five International Series events scheduled for 2026, the expectation is that the Asian Tour will not renew its deal with LIV after this season, which ends in November at the PIF Saudi International. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced it would no longer fund LIV Golf at the end of this season, leaving LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil in search of new investors to keep the league going in 2027.
Strategic Alignment and Future Outlook
Christian Hardy Integrates Asian Tour Into Existing PGA Tour and DP World Tour Alliance
The agreement focuses on building a more connected global golf ecosystem. PGA Tour’s SVP of International Christian Hardy stated: “This agreement is another example of what can be accomplished when organizations come together with a shared vision for the future of professional golf. Through our Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour, we have worked to build a more connected global golf ecosystem, and we are excited to welcome the Asian Tour into that effort. Together, we are creating new opportunities for players, enhancing key National Opens around the world and continuing to evolve and strengthen pathways to identify and develop the next generation of elite talent.”
The two leagues—the Asian Tour and the DP World Tour—previously held a relationship dating back to 1999 and were in partnership from 2016 to 2021 before the Asian Tour and LIV Golf began their collaboration.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports.
