PGA Tour China
 | |
| Formerly | Ping An Bank China Tour-PGA Tour China Series |
|---|---|
| Sport | Golf |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | PGA Tour |
| First season | 2014 |
| Ceased | 2020 |
| Country | Based in China[a] |
| Most titles | Tournament wins: Dou Zecheng (4) Charlie Saxon (4) |
| Related competitions | China Tour PGA Tour Canada PGA Tour Latinoamérica |
PGA Tour China was a third level professional golf tour formed in 2014 and operated by the PGA Tour. After a hiatus in 2017, the tour resumed in 2018.[1][2] After canceling its entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour effectively ceased operation.
History
[edit]The United States–based PGA Tour formed the tour in 2014, joining PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamérica as their international developmental tours.[3] Similar to the Canadian and Latinoamérica tours, PGA Tour China offered a path to the Korn Ferry Tour for top finishers. It also offered Official World Golf Ranking points to the top-six finishers at each tournament. The top five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of the season received promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour.
In January 2014, PGA Tour China announced qualifying procedures and a 12-event season to begin in April. Two 72-hole qualifying tournaments were played in March. Each event awarded 20 full-time Tour cards, and conditional cards to the next 20 players plus those tied. For its inaugural season, PGA Tour China gave exemptions to the top 70 according to the China Golf Association rankings. After the 40 qualifiers and 70 from the rankings, the balance of the fields were filled through sponsor exemptions, Monday qualifiers and eligible players from the Web.com Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamérica, and PGA Tour Canada.[4] Zhang Lianwei hit the first tee shot in PGA Tour China history.[5]
In April 2015, Ping An Bank became the title sponsor of the tour, being renamed as the Ping An Bank China Tour-PGA Tour China Series.[6]
Seasons
[edit]Order of Merit winners
[edit]| Year | Winner | Prize money (CN¥) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
| 2019 | Max McGreevy |
974,153 |
| 2018 |  Callum Tarren |
1,094,600 |
| 2016 | Dou Zecheng |
1,144,350 |
| 2015 |  Bryden Macpherson |
769,960 |
| 2014 | Li Haotong |
967,788 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Schedules have included events in Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand.
References
[edit]- ^ "PGA Tour's China Series delayed due to issues". ESPN. Associated Press. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "PGA Tour China ready to launch in 2018". PGA Tour. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "PGA Tour to be part of new circuit in China". Golf Channel. 3 November 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "China Tour-PGA Tour China Series Announces First Portion of 2014 Schedule and Two Qualifying Sites". PGA Tour China. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
- ^ Livsey, Laury (17 April 2014). "Zhang Makes History by Hitting First Tee Shot on PGA Tour China Series". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "PGA Tour China secures first title sponsor". Sport Business Sponsorship. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2023.