What is the Global Amateur Pathway?
The Global Amateur Pathway is a landmark initiative which creates a pathway for non-collegiate amateur players on to the DP World Tour and partner Tours around the world. It has been created to help the very best male amateur players take the next step in their careers.
How do players enrol?
To enrol, a player must contact compadmin@etghq.com in the first instance and subsequently complete a Global Amateur Pathway application prior to the end of the Registration Period (the registration period is from February to 12 to June 30 2026. The player must be within the top 200 in WAGR® at the time of submitting the form.
Players entering the top 100 in WAGR® following the end of the registration period will be able to request late registration.
What are the benefits of enrolling in the Global Amateur Pathway?
The best eligible non-collegiate male amateur within the top 20 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) will receive a DP World Tour card for the following season. WAGR® comprises a women’s ranking and a men’s ranking for elite amateur players and is offered by The R&A and the USGA as a global service to golf.
Further exemptions will be available on the HotelPlanner Tour – part of the European Tour Group – along with the Sunshine Tour, PGA Tour of Australia, PGTI and PGAT Americas.
How are the players ranked?
The Global Amateur Pathway Ranking (powered by WAGR®) is the official ranking system of the Global Amateur Pathway. It is designed to identify and rank elite amateur players (excluding NCAA Division-I collegiate players) competing in eligible tournaments.
Players competing in eligible tournaments earn points equivalent to the number of points awarded by WAGR®.
The Global Amateur Pathway Ranking will be published on the Global Amateur Pathway web page every week following the start of the registration period.
Who is eligible for the Global Amateur Pathway?
To be eligible for the Global Amateur Pathway Ranking, amateur golfers must meet the following criteria:
• Not be a current NCAA Division-I player.
• Not earned any performance benefits from PGA TOUR University in 2026.
• Be at least 20 years of age by the end of the calendar year of the relevant Ranking Period.
• Be within the top 200 WAGR.
• Players who are outside the top 200 WAGR by the end of the Registration Period who then move into the top 100 WAGR at any time prior to the conclusion of the Late Registration Period in the relevant season (September 20, 2026).
Further notes -
If a player takes up an exemption via the Global Amateur Pathway in any year, he will not be eligible for inclusion in future years.
When does the ranking period start?
The ranking periods for 2026 and 2027 are as follows:
| Class of | Begins | Concludes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 14, 2024 | October 11, 2026 |
| 2027 | October 12, 2026 | October 17, 2027 |
When do exemptions on the DP World Tour and partner Tours begin?
Exemptions will be awarded for the season following the relevant ranking period. For example, Class of 2026 exemptions are awarded for the 2027 season.
How many players can gain exemptions?
The best eligible non-collegiate male amateur within the top 20 of WAGR® will receive a DP World Tour card for the following season.
Further exemptions will be available via the HotelPlanner Tour, Sunshine Tour, PGA TOUR of Australia, PGTI and PGAT Americas. Each of the Partner Tours will carry three exemptions.
How does this align with PGA TOUR University?
By offering opportunities to non-collegiate amateur players, the Global Amateur Pathway will complement PGA TOUR University – which awards membership on PGA TOUR-sanctioned Tours to the top Division-I college golfers at the end of the NCAA Championship – to ensure opportunities are available for elite players across the amateur ranks.
To see the full rules and regulations, click here.
