PGA Tour China

History

The United States–based PGA Tour formed the tour in 2014, joining PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamérica as their international developmental tours. 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. Zhang Lianwei hit the first tee shot in PGA Tour China history.

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.

Seasons

Main article: PGA Tour China seasons

Order of Merit winners

Notes

References

References

1. (10 May 2017). "PGA Tour's China Series delayed due to issues". ESPN.
2. (24 October 2017). "PGA Tour China ready to launch in 2018". PGA Tour.
3. (3 November 2013). "PGA Tour to be part of new circuit in China". Golf Channel.
4. (29 January 2014). "China Tour-PGA Tour China Series Announces First Portion of 2014 Schedule and Two Qualifying Sites". PGA Tour China.
5. Livsey, Laury. (17 April 2014). "Zhang Makes History by Hitting First Tee Shot on PGA Tour China Series". PGA Tour.
6. (2 April 2015). "PGA Tour China secures first title sponsor". Sport Business Sponsorship.