10 DP World Tour Golfers Earn 2026 PGA Tour Cards
Here are 10 DP World Tour players who secured their PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season.
- Marco Penge led the non-exempt players with a stunning breakout year, securing extra perks like Signature Events.
- A mix of young talents and veterans, including the first ex-LIV golfer to earn a card this way.
- Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen dramatically qualified on the final day with a heroic finish in Dubai.
- These players now get dual membership, opening doors to bigger prizes and tougher competition in the US.
- Past graduates like Matthieu Pavon and Robert MacIntyre won on the PGA Tour – could history repeat?
The DP World Tour season always ends with a bang, and 2025 was no different. As the sun set over the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai on November 16, Matt Fitzpatrick was celebrating a playoff win over Rory McIlroy in the DP World Tour Championship. Rory still claimed his seventh Race to Dubai title – an amazing achievement that puts him just one behind the legend Colin Montgomerie. But while the big names grabbed the headlines, something else huge was happening behind the scenes. Ten lesser-known (at least to American fans) golfers from the DP World Tour had just punched their tickets to the PGA Tour for the 2026 season.
If you're a golf fan, you know how big this is. The PGA Tour is where the real money and fame are – think multi-million dollar purses every week, massive crowds, and events like The Players Championship. For years, players on the DP World Tour (once called the European Tour) dreamed of making it across the Atlantic full-time. Now, thanks to a smart alliance between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour that started a few years ago, the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai rankings who aren't already exempt on the PGA Tour get automatic cards. It's a game-changer.
This isn't just any old qualification. These 10 golfers earned PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season by battling through a long year of tournaments across the globe – from South Africa to China, Scotland to Spain. The Race to Dubai is a points race that rewards consistency and big wins. Finish high enough (and not already have PGA Tour status), and boom – you're in. The number one guy in that non-exempt list even gets bonus entries into early 2026 Signature Events and The Players.
Why does this matter so much? Well, look at what happened before. Players like Matthieu Pavon from France earned their card this way and then won the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour right away. Robert MacIntyre did the same and grabbed the Scottish Open and the RBC Canadian Open. Ryan Fox won, too. These 10 DP World Tour golfers who earned PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season could be the next big things. Some are young guns fresh from the Challenge Tour (the DP World's second division), others are experienced pros looking for a fresh start. One is even the first former LIV Golf player to come back and earn a card legitimately through performance.
Let's think about the journey these guys have been on. The DP World Tour season is tough. You travel the world, play in all kinds of weather, and face top players like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton every week. Many of these qualifiers were fighting just to keep their DP World Tour cards a year or two ago. Take Marco Penge, for example. The 27-year-old Englishman barely held onto his card in 2024. Fast forward to 2025, and he wins three times! He was averaging over 320 yards off the tee – that's bombing it further than most pros. He finished second overall in the Race to Dubai, just behind Rory. That kind of turnaround is inspiring. It shows that hard work, better swings, and a bit of luck can change everything.
Or Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen from Denmark. This guy was the top player on the Challenge Tour in 2024, earning promotion. In his first full DP World Tour season, he jumps straight to PGA Tour status. On the final day in Dubai, he needed a miracle on the last holes. He went eagle-birdie-birdie or something crazy to sneak in. Golf is full of these stories – pressure-packed moments that define careers.
The alliance between the tours is brilliant. It gives European-based players a clear path to the PGA Tour without having to go through brutal Q-School or limited sponsor invites. The PGA Tour brings in fresh talent from around the world. Remember, the PGA Tour cut full cards to the top 100 in the FedExCup now, so these DP World Tour grads slot into a good category, with the top one getting extra boosts.
As we dive deeper, you'll see why these 10 are exciting. There are power hitters, accurate iron players, clutch putters, and even a few with Major top-10s already. Some might struggle with the jump – the courses are different, the pressure is higher, travel is intense – but others could shine right away. Fans in the US will get to see new faces at events like the Genesis Invitational or Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
This pathway has proven successful. Since it started, several grads have not just survived but thrived. It strengthens both tours and makes golf more global. For these 10 DP World Tour golfers who earned PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season, it's a dream come true. Many will move to America, buy houses in Florida or Arizona, and chase FedExCup points.
The DP World Tour Championship had a $10 million purse, and the top 10 in the Race to Dubai shared a $6 million bonus. But for these guys, the real prize is unlimited starts on the PGA Tour in 2026. No more worrying about categories or Monday qualifiers.
Imagine being Laurie Canter. He left for LIV Golf, played there briefly, came back to the DP World Tour, and now he's the first ex-LIV player to earn a PGA Tour card this way. That's a statement. Or Haotong Li from China – charismatic, long hitter, already has a T4 at The Open. Asian golf is rising, and he's part of it.
This list has diversity: England, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, China, and Japan. Golf is truly international now.
How the PGA Tour Card System Works for DP World Tour Players
The rules are simple but fair. At the end of the DP World Tour season, they make a special list: Race to Dubai rankings, but skipping anyone already exempt on the PGA Tour (like Rory, Fleetwood, Hatton, etc.). The top 10 on that list get cards.
The #1 on the non-exempt list (Marco Penge this year) gets:
- Entry to The Players Championship
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Signature Event)
- Genesis Invitational (another Signature)
That's huge – those events have massive purses and fields.
The other nine get full cards, but in a reshuffle category with Korn Ferry grads.
The 10 DP World Tour Golfers Who Earned PGA Tour Cards for 2026
Here they are in order, with details on their 2025 season:
1. Marco Penge (England)
The star of the show. Three wins: Hainan Classic, Danish Golf Championship, Open de España. Nearly 320-yard drives. Finished 2nd overall Race to Dubai. Age 27, breakout year after barely keeping the card last season.
2. Laurie Canter (England)
Former LIV player, first to earn a card back this way. Won the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. Multiple runner-ups. Strong ball-striker.
3. Kristoffer Reitan (Norway)
Young talent won the Soudal Open. Consistent top-10s.
4. Adrien Saddier (France)
Won the Italian Open, playoff loss at the BMW PGA. Six top-10s.
5. Alex Noren (Sweden)
Veteran, won the BMW PGA and British Masters. Ryder Cup experience.
6. Jordan Smith (England)
Two wins since 2017, solid 2025 with runner-ups.
7. John Parry (England)
Experienced, consistent season.
8. Haotong Li (China)
Won Qatar Masters, T4 at The Open. Charismatic long hitter.
9. Keita Nakajima (Japan)
Three runner-ups, a rising Asian star.
10. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark)
Dramatic final-round charge in Dubai to sneak in. From Challenge Tour grad to the PGA Tour in one year.
| Rank | Player | Country | Key 2025 Highlights | DP World Tour Wins (Career) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Penge | England | 3 wins, 320+ yd drives | 3 (all 2025) |
| 2 | Laurie Canter | England | Bahrain wins, ex-LIV | 2 |
| 3 | Kristoffer Reitan | Norway | Soudal Open win | 1 |
| 4 | Adrien Saddier | France | Italian Open win | 2 |
| 5 | Alex Noren | Sweden | BMW PGA & British Masters wins | Many |
| 6 | Jordan Smith | England | Consistent runner-ups | 2 |
| 7 | John Parry | England | Steady season | Several |
| 8 | Haotong Li | China | Qatar wins, Open T4 | 4 |
| 9 | Keita Nakajima | Japan | Multiple 2nds | Rising |
| 10 | Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen | Denmark | Final-day heroics | Newcomer |
What to Expect from These Players on the PGA Tour in 2026
Some will adapt fast – look at Penge's power for birdie-fests. Others like Noren already know the tour.
Tips for success: Work on short game for firm US greens, handle heat in Florida/California events.
Past Success Stories from This Pathway
- Matthieu Pavon: Won Farmers 2024
- Robert MacIntyre: Two wins in 2024
- Rasmus Hojgaard: Ryder Cup star
FAQs About DP World Tour Golfers Earning PGA Tour Cards
Who won the 2025 Race to Dubai? Rory McIlroy, his seventh title.
How many PGA Tour cards does the DP World Tour give each year? 10 to non-exempt top finishers.
Can these players still play DP World Tour events? Yes, dual membership!
Who almost missed out this year? Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen needed a late surge.
Is this pathway changing in the future? It stays for now, despite PGA Tour tweaks.
Which of these 10 is the longest hitter? Marco Penge – over 320 yards average.
Has a Japanese player earned a card this way before? Keita Nakajima is one of the recent ones exciting fans.
Will Laurie Canter be allowed after LIV? Yes, he earned it fairly through performance.
Where can I watch these players in 2026? PGA Tour events on Sky Sports, NBC, etc.
Who is the youngest in the list? Many are in their mid-20s, like Penge and Reitan.
Conclusion
These 10 DP World Tour golfers earned PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season through hard work and brilliant play. From Marco Penge's domination to Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen's last-gasp heroics, it's exciting times for golf fans.
Keep an eye on them – one might be the next big winner. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on their PGA Tour debuts, or check out our articles on past graduates.
What do you think – who will win first on the PGA Tour from this group? Let us know in the comments!
(Internal links: Past DP World Tour to PGA Tour success stories, 2025 Race to Dubai full review, PGA Tour 2026 schedule preview)
External: Official PGA Tour announcement, DP World Tour site
Key Citations
- https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2025/11/16/meet-the-10-dp-world-tour-members-who-earned-dual-pga-tour-membership-for-2026-penge-noren
- https://golf.com/news/10-dp-world-tour-players-earned-pga-tour-cards-2026/
- https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/which-dp-world-tour-players-secured-pga-tour-cards-2026
- https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2025/11/16/dp-world-tour-golfers-pga-tour-cards-2026/87304916007/
- https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/the-battle-for-a-pga-tour-card-current-standings/
- https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2025/11/16/the-10-players-who-earned-2026-pga-tour-cards-from-the-dp-world-tours-race-to-dubai-139425/
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