At Glance
‣ The Volvo China Open offers up to three spots at the PGA Championship, marking a significant opportunity for players as it concludes the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing.
‣ The DP World Tour introduced a new format this year, dividing events into three phases: Five ‘Global Swings’, ‘The Back 9’, and two final playoff events, with each Global Swing champion earning a $200,000 bonus and qualification into the next Rolex Series event.
‣ Only the top three finishers in the final Asian Swing standings after the China Open will secure their spot at the PGA Championship, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament and its importance for players’ standings.
🚨The winner of #VolvoChinaOpen will have a good chance to finish in the top 3 in the #AsianSwing and qualify for #PGAChampionship. Only 3 players will have that chance with less than a win. Schneider also could've qualified with a solo 2nd, but chose not to play… @DPWorldTour
— Nosferatu (@VC606)
Oh boy, this week’s Volvo China Open is buzzing with excitement. There’s a lot at stake with three golden tickets to the PGA Championship up for grabs. The China Open is making a grand re-entry to the DP World Tour calendar, first time since 2019, wrapping up the tour’s Asian Swing. Players are on their toes, this is their last shot at climbing the leaderboard.
Now, let’s talk about the DP World Tour’s fresh look this year. They’ve spiced things up with a new format – splitting events into three phases: Five ‘Global Swings’, ‘The Back 9’, and two nail-biting playoff events. Each Global Swing crowns its own king or queen, who not only bags a cool $200,000 but also snags a spot in the next Rolex Series event.
Min Woo Lee aced the Opening Swing, covering Australia, South Africa, and Mauritius. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, clinched the International Swing, which spanned the Middle East and Africa. Now, all eyes are on Shenzhen’s Hidden Grace Golf Club. It’s hosting the China Open for the sixth time, and the stakes are high. The winner might just waltz directly into next month’s PGA Championship.
The top-three finishers in the final Asian Swing standings, post-China Open, will be packing their bags for the Valhalla Golf Club. And hey, don’t forget to subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter. It’s your go-to source for the latest tour news, gear reviews, and expert advice.
Leading the pack in the standings is Sweden’s Sebastian Söderberg, with 589.95 points, thanks to his stellar performance in Japan and India. Keita Nakajima of Japan, already with a PGA Championship slot, is hot on his heels. Jesper Svensson, another Swede, is not far behind, all thanks to his win in Singapore.
Now, here’s a twist. According to Nosferatu, the Twitter-based world rankings guru, three players could sneak into the PGA Championship without even winning in China. We’re talking about Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, England’s Sam Bairstow, and American Johannes Veerman. But, victory on Sunday is a game-changer, offering 500 ranking points.
Heads up! Winning the #VolvoChinaOpen could catapult someone into the top 3 of the #AsianSwing, securing a spot in the #PGAChampionship. Only three players have a shot without clinching the win. Schneider had a chance too but decided to sit this one out… @DPWorldTour
Another name in the mix is PGA Tour rookie Matthieu Pavon, who’s already made his mark by winning the Farmers Insurance Open in January. Only the top three in the Asian Swing standings, including those already exempt, will get a pass to the PGA Championship.
After the excitement at Valhalla, the DP World Tour will embark on its European Swing, followed by the Closing Swing. Then, it’s onto the second phase, The Back 9, before the grand finale with the DP World Tour playoffs.
And there you have it, the 2024 DP World Tour Race to Dubai format, in all its glory.
