At Glance
‣ The Clutch Pro Tour, a developmental golf tour series in England, has been granted access to Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, becoming an OWGR Eligible Golf Tour from Week 17, ending April 28, 2024, after a 17-month application process.
‣ The tour provides a pathway for progression onto the Challenge Tour, with access to its official tournaments through a 2024 qualifying series in the UAE and an annual open qualifying school for the 2025 season, aligning with OWGR Eligibility and Format Criteria.
‣ The OWGR’s decision to grant the Clutch Pro Tour access to world ranking points contrasts with its stance on LIV Golf, highlighting the importance of promotion and relegation mechanisms and the absence of a closed shop or team element in determining eligibility for OWGR points.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here –#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking— OWGR (@OWGRltd)
Big news just dropped in the golf world, folks. The Clutch Pro Tour’s been given the green light for world ranking points by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Yeah, you heard that right. This tour, which you might know as the Mizuno Next Gen Series, is making waves in England since its inception in 2019.
It’s pretty much the stepping stone to the big leagues, directly feeding into the Challenge Tour. Remember the PGA EuroPro Tour? Well, it’s taken over from that now-defunct series. And let me tell ya, they’ve been cozying up with the OWGR for the past 17 months to make this happen.
Now, getting OWGR access is like the Holy Grail in golf. Just ask the folks over at LIV Golf – they’ve been knocking on that door, but so far, no dice. But here comes the Clutch Pro Tour, strutting in with its 54-hole series, complete with a 36-hole cut, and bam! They’ve got the golden ticket.
“After a marathon 17-month application slog, the Clutch Pro Tour’s finally crossed the finish line,” according to an OWGR statement. Starting Week 17, ending April 28, 2024, their Tier 1 tournaments are officially in the ranking game. That’s a big deal, folks.
They’re rolling out the red carpet for players too. With a qualifying series in the UAE for 2024 and an open qualifying school for 2025, they’re not just opening doors; they’re building new ones. And hey, if you’re into golf news, gear reviews, or just love the sport, they’re suggesting you sign up for the Golf Monthly newsletter. Just a heads up.
But it’s not all about the glitz and glamour. The tour’s also a beacon for local and regional talent, culminating in a no-cut, season-ending Championship. It’s a testament to their commitment, aligning perfectly with OWGR’s Eligibility and Format Criteria.
Since the EuroPro Tour’s curtain call, the Clutch Pro Tour’s been the UK’s golfing lifeline. It’s been pivotal, offering players a chance to climb up to the European Challenge Tour and even the DP World Tour. That’s no small feat.
Now, onto the juicy bit. The LIV Golf crowd might not be popping champagne over this news. OWGR’s had their reservations, citing LIV Golf’s closed-off promotion and relegation system and the team element as major roadblocks. Seems like they’re sending a message to LIV’s head honcho, Greg Norman, about keeping the dialogue open if he’s serious about snagging those ranking points.
Interestingly, the OWGR press release was all about celebrating the Clutch Pro Tour’s milestone, with no direct mention of LIV Golf. OWGR chairman Peter Dawson was all praises, highlighting this as a significant milestone for golf in the UK. He’s looking forward to seeing how the Clutch Pro Tour will continue to nurture talent in the region.
So, there you have it. Golf’s landscape is changing, and it’s exciting times ahead. Stay tuned, and maybe, just maybe, keep an eye on that Twitter feed for more updates. Who knows what’ll happen next?
