London, August 29, 2025
News Summary
The DP World Tour’s season has transformed into a high-stakes journey to the PGA Tour, with ten players earning coveted cards for the 2025 season. The 10 Cards Initiative introduces a clear pathway for top players, allowing them to compete in the U.S. A notable revamped structure aims to enhance opportunities for European golfers, providing them a chance to shine on a bigger stage as they chase PGA Tour glory.
London — Big Moves on the DP World Tour Open Doors to the PGA Tour
What just happened?
The European circuit’s season has turned into a high-stakes conveyor belt to the United States. Thanks to a partnership with the PGA Tour and the roll-out of the 10 Cards Initiative, the leading group of Europe-based players in the Race to Dubai have secured coveted spots on next year’s PGA Tour roster. This is a genuine pathway for top DP World Tour players to test themselves across the pond.
Who made it?
Ten players have locked in PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season through their finish in the Race to Dubai. The names joining the U.S. circuit via this route are:
- Rasmus Hojgaard
- Thriston Lawrence
- Paul Waring
- Jesper Svensson
- Niklas Norgaard
- Matteo Manassero
- Thorbjørn Olesen
- Antoine Rozner
- Rikuya Hoshino
- Tom McKibbin
Key moments that sealed the deals
A few late-season results were decisive. Rasmus Hojgaard clinched his PGA Tour card after a strong runner-up showing at the DP World Tour Championship. Paul Waring punched his ticket with a win at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship earlier in the season. And Tom McKibbin pulled off a last-gasp move, slipping into the top 10 by finishing tied for 11th at the season-ending championship.
Why this matters
The 10 Cards Initiative was launched before the 2023 campaign to give the top non-exempt DP World Tour players a clearer route to the PGA Tour. It’s not just a feel-good program — it comes with meaningful prize purses and real roster opportunities. At the same time, the PGA Tour has slimmed down the number of full tour cards available to its own members from 125 to 100, which has freed up extra spots for Korn Ferry Tour and DP World Tour professionals. For many Europeans, that translates into life-changing chances to play regularly in the U.S.
Who’s still in the mix?
The season isn’t over for those chasing the top spots in the Race to Dubai. Marco Penge is currently leading the standings and is squarely in contention for one of those PGA Tour invitations. Penge made the jump from the Challenge Tour in 2023 and notched a signature victory at the Danish Golf Championship, accelerating his rise.
Kristoffer Reitan holds third in the standings after a string of high finishes. Hot on his heels are a cluster of players — Haotong Li, John Parry, Laurie Canter, Martin Couvra and Jordan Smith — who sit tightly bunched and ready to pounce if the leaderboard shifts. A group of hungry challengers including Daniel Brown, Jacques Kruyswijk and Eugenio Chacarra remain within about 210 points of the current threshold, making the run-in tense and unpredictable.
Notes for fans and players
Players who enter the PGA Tour through this channel will not receive guaranteed starts in every tournament. Entry into events will depend on remaining points, reshuffle positions and event fields. That makes every finish — and every point — count. Also worth noting: the 2024 crop of DP World Tour graduates didn’t record a PGA Tour win in their first season, a reminder that success in Europe doesn’t always translate immediately in the U.S.
History and context
The very first beneficiaries of this initiative were Matthieu Pavon and Robert MacIntyre, who earned their PGA Tour cards as rookies. That early success helped validate the concept, pushing more players to target the Race to Dubai as a viable path to the bigger U.S. stage. Final acceptance of membership for those earning cards through this route must be confirmed by November 29.
Bottom line
The Race to Dubai has become more than a European season-long race for a trophy — it’s a gateway. As the season winds down, expect drama, daring shots and players calculating every risk to grab those last few points. For fans, that means more thrilling golf and a steady supply of new faces heading to the PGA Tour.
FAQ
What is the 10 Cards Initiative?
The 10 Cards Initiative is a deal between the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour that awards PGA Tour cards to the top ten non-exempt players in the Race to Dubai standings for the season.
Who earned PGA Tour cards through this route for 2025?
The ten players who secured cards are: Rasmus Hojgaard, Thriston Lawrence, Paul Waring, Jesper Svensson, Niklas Norgaard, Matteo Manassero, Thorbjørn Olesen, Antoine Rozner, Rikuya Hoshino and Tom McKibbin.
Do these players get full PGA Tour status?
They receive membership access but are not guaranteed spots in every event. Tournament entry depends on points, reshuffles and event eligibility lists.
When do players need to accept membership?
Players nominated for PGA Tour membership via the Race to Dubai must accept their offers by November 29.
Who else is still chasing a card?
Players such as Marco Penge, Kristoffer Reitan, Haotong Li, John Parry, Laurie Canter, Martin Couvra, Jordan Smith, Daniel Brown, Jacques Kruyswijk and Eugenio Chacarra are all part of the end-of-season battle.
Quick reference table
| Player | How they clinched / Note |
|---|---|
| Rasmus Hojgaard | Runner-up at DP World Tour Championship; sealed PGA Tour card |
| Paul Waring | Won Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship; secured card |
| Tom McKibbin | Moved into top 10 with T11 at season finale |
| Thriston Lawrence | Finished high enough in Race to Dubai standings |
| Jesper Svensson | Top-10 finishers across the season secured spots |
| Niklas Norgaard | Consistent season performance earned card |
| Matteo Manassero | Veteran European performer back into the mix |
| Thorbjørn Olesen | Experienced campaigner secured one of the slots |
| Antoine Rozner | Strong season results kept him in the top ten |
| Rikuya Hoshino | Finished inside the qualifying group |
| In contention: Marco Penge (leader), Kristoffer Reitan (3rd), Haotong Li, John Parry, Laurie Canter, Martin Couvra, Jordan Smith, Daniel Brown, Jacques Kruyswijk, Eugenio Chacarra. | |
Keep an eye on the final Race to Dubai results and the November 29 acceptance deadline — the late-season swing could hand more players the chance to chase PGA Tour glory.
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Additional Resources
- Golf Monthly: DP World Tour Players 2026 PGA Tour
- PGA Tour: 10 DP World Tour Members Earned Dual Membership
- European Tour: Breakout Stars on the DP World Tour
- National Club Golfer: DP World Tour Players with PGA Tour Cards
- Wikipedia: DP World Tour
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