A Guide to the World of Professional Golf Tours
As one of the most popular and internationally recognized sports, golf boasts several prestigious professional tours that span the globe. These tours highlight the skill and talent of the best golfers worldwide, each with its unique charm, history, and degree of competition. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the leading professional golf tours and what sets them apart.
The PGA Tour
The PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) Tour is arguably the most renowned professional golf tour globally, headquartered in Florida, USA. It hosts a series of tournaments throughout the year, where golf's biggest names, like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson, often compete.
The PGA Tour includes major championships like The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship. It also includes the FedEx Cup, a season-long competition culminating in a playoff series with a lucrative purse.
The European Tour
The European Tour is the second most prominent golf tour, showcasing top talent across Europe and other parts of the world. It hosts significant tournaments, such as the BMW PGA Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
Many American golfers who participate in the PGA Tour also play some European Tour events, especially the Race to Dubai, which is akin to the FedEx Cup, where golfers accumulate points throughout the season to qualify for the finale.
The Asian Tour
The Asian Tour, headquartered in Singapore, brings together the top golfing talent across Asia. While it may not command as much global attention as the PGA or European Tours, it's growing rapidly, hosting tournaments in countries like India, Malaysia, China, and South Korea.
The LPGA Tour
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour is the leading women's professional golf tour. Established in 1950, it's one of the longest-running women's professional sports organizations in the world. Like the PGA Tour, the LPGA is based in the United States but holds events worldwide.
Major championships on the LPGA Tour include the Women's PGA Championship, the U.S. Women's Open, the Women's British Open, and The Evian Championship.
The Champions Tour
Also known as the PGA Tour Champions, this tour is for professional golfers over the age of 50. Many greats of the game, who have aged out of the PGA Tour, continue to compete here. The tour features a relaxed, fan-friendly atmosphere, often bringing in large crowds eager to see legendary golfers like Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, and Fred Couples.
The Korn Ferry Tour
The Korn Ferry Tour, previously known as the Web.com Tour, serves as the developmental tour for the PGA. It's here where up-and-coming golfers earn their stripes and get a chance to qualify for the PGA Tour. While it may not have the prestige or prize money of the bigger tours, it's a breeding ground for future champions.
The Symetra Tour
The Symetra Tour, known as the "Road to the LPGA," is the official developmental golf tour of the LPGA Tour. It offers aspiring female golfers a platform to hone their skills, gain competitive experience, and strive to earn LPGA Tour membership.
Conclusion
These tours represent the broad spectrum of professional golf worldwide, highlighting diverse talents across different age groups and genders. From the breathtaking competition of the PGA Tour to the promising potential of the Korn Ferry and Symetra Tours, each brings something unique to this beloved sport.
Whether you're a seasoned golf fan or a newbie, following these professional tours can provide an immersive experience into the world of golf, complete with high-stakes competition, scenic courses, and captivating personal stories of perseverance, determination, and success.
