BMW PGA Championship
25th – 28th May
First played: 1955
Defending champion: Chris Wood
HNA Open de France
29th June – 2nd July
First played: 1906
Defending champion: Thongchai Jaidee
After celebrating its centenary last July, the HNA Open de France will begin a new chapter in its illustrious history when HNA Group, a global Fortune 500 company focused on tourism, logistics and financial services, takes over as title sponsor of continental Europe’s oldest national Open in a five-year commitment starting in 2017. Hosted at Le Golf National in Paris, a member of the European Tour Properties network and the host venue for The Ryder Cup next year, the tournament will form an impressive three-week stretch of Rolex Series events in the build-up to The Open Championship.
Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open
13th – 16th July
First played: 1935
Defending champion: Alex Noren
Taking place the week before The Open Championship, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is the perfect test of links golf. Despite the first incarnation of the tournament taking place in 1935, only four editions were held in 51 years before it became an annual event on the European Tour International Schedule in 1986. While Colin Montgomerie is the only Scot to have won since Jimmy Adams in 1936, the tournament winners’ nationalities span six of the world’s continents, from South America’s Eduardo Romero to Asia’s Jeev Milkha Singh.
Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open
13th – 16th July
First played: 1935
Defending champion: Alex Noren
Taking place the week before The Open Championship, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is the perfect test of links golf. Despite the first incarnation of the tournament taking place in 1935, only four editions were held in 51 years before it became an annual event on the European Tour International Schedule in 1986. While Colin Montgomerie is the only Scot to have won since Jimmy Adams in 1936, the tournament winners’ nationalities span six of the world’s continents, from South America’s Eduardo Romero to Asia’s Jeev Milkha Singh.
Turkish Airlines Open
2nd – 5th November
First played: 2013
Defending champion: Thorbjørn Olesen
As one of the European Tour Race to Dubai’s Final Series events, the Turkish Airlines Open has commanded a strong field since its debut in 2013. One of Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup stars, Victor Dubuisson, claimed both of his European Tour wins in this event, with American Brooks Koepka earning his first victory in between the Frenchman’s victories. Thorbjørn Olesen took a seven-shot lead into the final round in Antalya in 2016, eventually winning by three strokes from David Horsey and Li Haotong.
Turkish Airlines Open
2nd – 5th November
First played: 2013
Defending champion: Thorbjørn Olesen
As one of the European Tour Race to Dubai’s Final Series events, the Turkish Airlines Open has commanded a strong field since its debut in 2013. One of Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup stars, Victor Dubuisson, claimed both of his European Tour wins in this event, with American Brooks Koepka earning his first victory in between the Frenchman’s victories. Thorbjørn Olesen took a seven-shot lead into the final round in Antalya in 2016, eventually winning by three strokes from David Horsey and Li Haotong.
Nedbank Golf Challenge
9th – 12th November
First played: 1981
Defending champion: Alex Noren
The Nedbank Golf Challenge is another relative newcomer to the European Tour schedule, joining in 2014 and becoming part of the Final Series for the first time in 2016. Johnny Miller won the first edition 35 years ago, with Thomas Bjørn, Danny Willett, Marc Leishman and Alex Noren winning in South Africa since the tournament joined the tour schedule. The Gary Player Country Club in Sun City hosts the event and is the third longest course in the history of the European Tour at 7,831 yards. Noren's win in 2016 came thanks to a spectacular final round, which saw the Swede card a nine under par 63.
