The PGA Tour & The European Tour Co-Sanction Three Tournaments In 2022
This past November, the PGA Tour and the European Tour announced they were partnering as part of a strategic alliance. And, on August 3rd, the two entities revealed they would be co-sanctioning three tournaments in 2022.
Now, the Barbasol Championship July 4–10), the Barracuda Championship (July 11–17), and the Genesis Scottish Open will all count toward both the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cups standings as well as the European’s Tour’s Race to Dubai.
The Scottish Open (July 4–10), whose field is a split of members from both tours, remains a part of the Rolex Series and continues to hold its coveted place in the European’s Tours schedule as the tournament held the week prior to the Open Championship (July 11–14); this position is secured until at least 2025.
“We are delighted to welcome Genesis as a title sponsor of a European Tour event for the first time,” stated European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley.
“Genesis has a strong history of sponsorship on the PGA Tour through The Genesis Invitational and their commitment to the Scottish Open will further enhance one of our premier events of the season.”
The one change is Hyundai’s subsidiary Genesis will take over as the title sponsor of the event from Abrdn, formerly Standard Life Aberdeen, with the venue to be announced at a later date. The event has been hosted at the Renaissance Club for the last three years.
“We are extremely excited to become title sponsor of the Scottish Open at this historic moment, as the PGA TOUR and European Tour announce details on their Strategic Alliance,” stated Jay Chang, Global head of Genesis. “Genesis and golf share a culture centered on respect, mutual admiration and innovation. We will continue to strengthen our partnership with both Tours to deliver this spirit to golfers, communities and individuals around the world through successful tournaments.”
Although it is the first time the Genesis Scottish Open will be on the PGA Tour’s official schedule, it has been on the European Tour schedule since its inception in 1972 and 1973. The tournament has also been a part of the Tour’s International Schedule since 1986 and a part of the Rolex Series it began in 2017.
“Adding an existing, strong title sponsor in Genesis to our Strategic Alliance in the form of the Genesis Scottish Open — to be sanctioned by both Tours — is a significant step for the global game,” stated PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Coupled with their support of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera, we’re incredibly proud to forge a deeper relationship with this premier brand across the global game.”
50 European Tour members can compete in both the Barbasol and Barracuda Championship, which are played the same weeks as the Genesis Scottish Open and the 150th Open Championship.
It has also been announced that the prize money for the Irish Open will increase to US$6 million in 2022.
“With today’s news, I am pleased to say that the PGA TOUR and the European Tour are both stronger than at any time in our history, as we are positioned to grow — together — over the next 10 years faster than we have at any point in our existence,” stated Monahan. “We are committed to continuing to evolve and adapt, and with our ever-strengthening partnership with the European Tour, to take the global game to the heights we all know it is capable of.”
This latest announcement comes on the heels of both tours announcing their strategic alliance this past November in the hopes of better connecting the two ecosystems. The partnerships’ primary focus is to work together on various strategic commercial opportunities, including collaborations on global media rights in certain territories and working together on global scheduling, playing opportunities for each Tour, and prize funds.
