The PGA EuroPro Tour has announced that the 2022 season will be its last, citing the economic landscape of rising costs and changes in audience appetite for its decision.
It was created in 2002 following a merger between the EuroPro Tour and PGA MasterCard Tour, as the Professional Golfers' Association and Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sport joined forces.
As Europe's third-tier golf tour, the PGA EuroPro Tour held an important place in the ecosystem. The top five finishers on the Order of Merit graduated to the Challenge Tour and secured a place at Stage Two of the DP World Tour Qualifying School.
The success of the Tour is perhaps merited by its alumni, which includes Major winners in Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and European Ryder Cup players in the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Ross Fisher, Jamie Donaldson, Nicholas Colsaerts and Oliver Wilson.
Although unknown at this stage, it is likely PGA EuroPro Tour members will take up opportunities on other development circuits upon conclusion of the 2022 season, such as the Clutch Pro Tour, Alps Tour, Pro Golf Tour and Nordic Golf League.
Speaking of the decision, PGA EuroPro Tour President Barry Hearn said: "I have been honoured to have created the PGA EuroPro Tour alongside Sandy Jones of the PGA and to watch the development of so many aspiring and inspiring professional golfers.
"Sadly, in these changing times for professional golf support for Europe's biggest development tour has not been sufficient to justify its continuation but I must stress my eternal gratitude to Dan Godding and his team at the PGA EuroPro Tour, the PGA, our broadcasters Sky Sports and the golf clubs and volunteers in both the UK and Europe without whom we would never have created so many opportunities for next generation of professional golfers."
The season closing Tour Championship will serve as the final PGA EuroPro Tour event and will take place at Lough Erne Resort 19-21 October 2022. James Allan, Michael Stewart, Dermot McElroy, Josh Hilleard and Ryan Brooks currently occupy the top-5 positions in the Order of Merit.
-
Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay For The Privilege' Of Playing In The Ryder CupRory McIlroy can see the argument for players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, but thinks it would upset the "purity" of the event for the Europeans
-
What Is Maximum Available Relief In Golf And When And Where Does It Apply?What does 'maximum available relief' mean and when might it come into play? We explain all...
-
How All 10 Of LIV’s New Players Fared In 2024A whole heap of new full-time players teed it up in the LIV Golf League throughout 2024, with some enjoying a better season than others...
-
Why LIV Golfer Tyrrell Hatton Is Making His DP World Tour Return At The British Masters This WeekThe Englishman will tee it up on the DP World Tour at The Belfry alongside the likes of Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald
-
'I Don't Believe That I've Reached My Potential At All' - Tommy Fleetwood Shares Candid Thoughts On His Winless Drought And Absolute Love For The GameThe Englishman remains without a PGA Tour title to his name and has only one DP World Tour crown on his resume in almost two years
-
Niall Horan Invests In Rory McIlroy’s TGL Team As Tyrrell Hatton Replacement ConfirmedThe former One Direction singer has invested in Boston Common Golf as Tyrrell Hatton's replacement is announced
-
LIV Golfer 'Lending' Caddie To Tommy Fleetwood For PGA Championship As 'Very Lucky' Ian Finnis Continues Recovery From Heart SurgeryIan Poulter's regular caddie - who has also worked for the likes of Justin Rose, Vijay Singh, and Michelle Wie West - will loop for Fleetwood at Valhalla this week
-
'Don’t Ask Me To Apologise For Finally Learning To Play Smart On A Sunday At The Masters' - Tommy Fleetwood On '$20m Loser' CriticsTommy Fleetwood spoke exclusively to Golf Monthly about a couple of near-misses at Majors and his desire to win one soon
-
First Ever LIV Team Playoff Sees Ripper GC Claim Dramatic Home Victory Over South Africans At LIV Golf AdelaideThe deep-rooted Australia v South Africa sporting rivalry continued with a thrilling set of extra holes at The Grange
-
Tommy Fleetwood Banks Huge Sum For Local Augusta Caddie After Englishman's Best Masters ResultGray Moore is a former Augusta National caddie master who was helping Fleetwood out after his regular caddie Ian Finnis was forced to stay home
