PGA Tour hopeful: “I’d be fine” with controversial card scheme being scrapped

The DP World Tour season is heating up nicely and that means the race for a PGA Tour card is well and truly on.

In 2023, the Wentworth-based circuit introduced a new initiative that would award the top ten players on the Race to Dubai standings with a one-way ticket to the States.

And one tour pro with his eyes on that lucrative prize is Brandon Robinson-Thompson.

The Englishman graduated from the Challenge Tour last season, after claiming his second title in August, and has started life on his new home in impressive fashion.

Robinson-Thompson, 33, is currently just inside the top 25 on the Race to Dubai after three top ten finishes and a T20 within his last five starts.

But while the PGA Tour would be a huge step forward in his career, he’s convinced the controversial pathway could help the DP World Tour if it was scrapped.

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“If this was the last year of it, then I’d be totally fine with that,” he told bunkered.co.uk.

“The thing is, if you’re benefitting from it, then you’re going to be for it. But I just think it wouldn’t hurt the DP World Tour to hold onto some of its best talent.

“We’re sending our ten best players on the tour away each year, and so that’s why some guys might feel like the DP World Tour is just a feeder to something bigger.

“But for a long time, the PGA Tour has been the highest level of golf so it’s hard to argue that.”

However, Robinson-Thompson understands the other perspective.

“At the same time, you have to look at this as a real privilege to progress your career,” he said. “It’s hard to break onto the PGA Tour, especially before the last few years. It was super difficult.

“This coming season, the PGA Tour are really closing up shop even more by reducing cards from the top 125 to the top 100. But one thing it has done is create more turnover at both ends.

“It has given people like myself the chance to establish themselves. You take the top ten from the previous season out and it gives us another opportunity, albeit I’d rather play against the top players.”

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Meanwhile, a marked increase in PGA Tour stalwarts and LIV golfers creeping up on DP World Tour leaderboards has created a separate, but equally significant challenge.

As the ten-card initiative offers lesser names new playing opportunities, the influx in so-called big names has cut those back.

Robinson-Thompson has already found that out this year, after being forced to sit out of the Dubai Desert Classic in January and the South African Open in February.

“It’s great for exposure, for sponsors and for purses,” Robinson-Thompson admitted, “but at the bottom end, you get people unable to play.

“Although it’s great for the tournament, it’s not great for guys at the bottom end who have just got their card or rookies trying to work their way up.

“It’s difficult, because next year when I’m in a position where I don’t have to worry about getting into events, I’ll say it’s great.

“But you have to remember when you were in those positions and be an advocate for people in similar positions to those you’ve been in.”

Robinson-Thompson remains in the hunt for his first DP World Tour title after being backed by Lyle & Scott last month.

He signed as a brand ambassador for the apparel brand.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.