Ryder Cup legends granted ultimate DP World Tour honour

The DP World Tour has granted honourary life membership to three Ryder Cup legends.

Ahead of the Senior Open at Carnoustie, Guy Kinnings – Chief Executive of the DP World Tour – recognised the trio of glittering careers.

He presented the cards to Thomas Bjørn, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Paul McGinley for their services to the DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup.

“Honorary Life Membership is recognition for those who have contributed so much to the Tour both inside and outside the ropes,” Kinnings said.

“These three players have given everything to the Tour and have shaped the Tour with both their play and their personalities.

“They have given so much whether that be through service on Committees, or as Board members, or indeed through their service to the Ryder Cup as players, Vice Captains and Captains.

“It is all of this together which makes everyone recognise these three individuals as such huge figures on our Tour.”

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Only 59 DP World Tour members had been bestowed before them, with John Jacobs – the man largely responsible for creating the European Tour – the first recipient in 1978.

Bjorn, Jiménez and McGinley combined for 40 DP World Tour wins throughout their respective careers that spanned decades.

That’s not to forget their incredible impact on the Ryder Cup, with Bjorn, 53, already named a vice-captain for next year’s showdown at Bethpage Black.

He lifted 15 titles on Tour, becoming Denmark’s most successful golfer of all time, and was three-times a winner of the Ryder Cup.

“For all of us, we’ve contributed in different ways,” he said. “It’s a great honour but it’s also something where you sit back and wonder where all that time went.

“It’s been great fun and now all three of us are looking at other places to play our golf and do other things, so it’s probably the best time to look back and say we did our bit.”

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Having teed it up 722 times, Jiménez is only topped in the appearance charts by David Howell. A 21-time Tour winner, the Spaniard also holds the record for the oldest player to win a European Tour event.

“Golf has given me everything in life and I’m very proud to be part of this world,” he said. “This is not a job for me, it is a way of life.

“I’ve played with so many golfing greats through the years, many of whom have been made Honorary Life Members in the past.

“It’s great to be a part of this world and the fact I have now joined this group and am part of that history is very special.”

Meanwhile, McGinley made 578 starts, notching four wins. The Irishman is also a winner of the Ryder Cup as a captain and player, leading Team Europe to glory in 2014 at Gleneagles.

“I’m European Tour Group through and through and I’ve got its best interests at heart,” he said.

“There are challenging times at the moment but also a lot of opportunities in golf. I’ll keep this card in my wallet and it’s a nice thing to have.”

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.