Tour boss hopes US players back ‘global golf’ aim

The Strategic Alliance between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour can benefit both sides.

At least, that is the hope of the latter’s chief executive – Guy Kinnings.

The deal was first announced in November 2020 before it was strengthened in 2022, by unveiling a new 13-year joint venture partnership.

As part of the collaboration, a new pathway was introduced to give players the opportunity to earn one of ten PGA Tour cards.

But it is also hoped that the Strategic Alliance can bring US players to the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

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A handful of PGA Tour players have already teed it up on the global tour this season, and Kinnings would like to see more.

“That’s what we are working towards,” he told Sky Sports’ Nick Dougherty at the BMW PGA Championship.

“If you look at this (tournament), the opportunity now is global golf.

“We have the Presidents Cup next week, and we’ve got three of that team over here preparing – as our Ryder Cup team did pre-Rome.

“You have got some US players here and that’s exactly the intention.

“Hopefully they’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some of the great events around the world, the national opens and everything else we have got, like the Dunhill [Links Championship], in a few weeks.”

Last week’s event at HQ was one of five Rolex Series Events in the 2024 season and enjoyed a strong US turn out.

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In total, 29 players from the circuit travelled across the Atlantic. Billy Horschel lifted the title for a second time after defeating Rory McIlroy in a play-off.

It’s before a host of stars from both tours play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland next week.

There will also be a 14-strong LIV Golf contingent at the event, headlined by Brooks Koepka.

Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk are all set to line up on tour in the coming weeks after appealing pending sanctions.

“That process goes on,” Kinnings added. “In the interim, we will hopefully have them playing in Spain next week, which will help the Spanish Open.

“We will hopefully see them both in the Alfred Dunhill and it means Adrian can defend in Sotogrande for the Estrella Masters.”

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 Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.