The Magical Kenya Open will be part of the “Global Swing” in the new-look 2024 DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) set up as Muthaiga Golf Club prepares to host global pros between February 22 and 25.
DP World Tour’s Chief Executive Keith Pelley said the series will feature a minimum of 44 tournaments in 24 countries across five continents, underlining its status as golf’s global Tour.
The Tour also dubbed “Race to Dubai” features three new and distinct phases – five innovative ‘Global Swings’ from November 2023 to August 2024, a historic ‘Back 9’ from September 2024 to October 2024 and two ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’ in November 2024.
“Our 2024 season will see our members come together to compete across a global schedule, with greater opportunities and rewards than ever before. The many new and original enhancements we have introduced will guarantee drama and excitement for our fans, our broadcasters and all our stakeholders across the entire season,” said Pelley.
Phase One will comprise five individual ‘Swings’— the Opening Swing, the International Swing which the Kenya Open is part of, the Asian Swing, the European Swing and the Closing Swing.
This opening phase started in November 2023 and will run through August 2024.
“Each Swing will have its Swing Rankings”, Pelley said, adding: “Each Swing will also have its own identity and its champion, who will each earn $200,000 (Sh31m) from an overall $1 million (Sh157m) Bonus Pool.
Swing champions will also qualify for each of the ‘Back 9’ events”.
The International Swing will run from January (Dubai Invitational) to March (Jonsson Workwear Open). The Asian Swing will run from March
(Singapore Classic) to May (Volvo China Open). The European Swing will run from May (Soudal Open) to July (BMW International Open).
The Closing Swing will run from July (Genesis Scottish Open) to August (Danish Golf Championship).
Phase Two will encompass nine of the DP World Tour’s most historic tournaments and national Open and will run from August to October.
The Back 9 will begin with the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo (August 29 – September 1) and will end with a tournament to be confirmed from October 24-27.
Phase 3, running in November, will comprise the two final Rolex Series events of the season: the Abu Dhabi Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi Championship, which moves from its traditional January slot to a new date of November 7-10, will feature the leading 70 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
The top 50 at the end of that tournament qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, from November 14-17, where the Number One player will be crowned.
