WENYI DING Ranked at the top of the inaugural Global Amateur Pathway Rankings and received an exemption from the DP World Tour for the 2025 season.
Ding Junhui will turn professional this week and was invited to participate in the Challenge Tour Hangzhou Open in Hangzhou, China, and make his professional debut in his hometown this week.
The 19-year-old from China, ranked third in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), takes first place in the global amateur golf rankings after an impressive season that included the Asian Championships . -The Pacific Amateur Championship was held at the Pacific Club Gotemba in Japan earlier this month, with a four-round score of 67 en route to the prestigious title.
Ding, who will turn 20 in November, said: “I am excited to start my career and look forward to competing on the DP World Tour next season. The Global Amateur Path has given me an incredible opportunity to Thank you to the DP World Tour, R&A and PGA Tour for supporting me and my fellow amateurs in achieving our goals.”
The Global Amateur Pathway powered by WAGR® is presented by the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and R&A to help the best male amateurs take the next step in their careers.
This landmark move creates a pathway for non-college amateurs into the DP World Tour and partner tours around the world. All told, the inaugural Global Amateur Pathways Ranking awarded professional membership to nine players from four partner tours, representing six different countries.
European Challenge Tour exemption applies to European and Middle Eastern players: Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen at Ballylliffin Golf Club in Republic of Ireland in July Won the Amateur Championship; Luis Massavi Roncal of Spain; and Bastien Amat of France.
Americans Nathan Petronzio, Peter Fountain, Ben Warian and Jake Hall earn 2025 Latin American Swing PGA TOUR Americas Tour membership.
Finally, South African Tyron Snyders has been granted an exemption from the Sunshine Tour and will make his debut at the Fortress Invitational tomorrow.
Guy Kinnings, CEO of DP World Tour, said: “The Global Amateur Pathway is a key component of the pathway system we have developed at DP World Tour with our partners at the R&A and PGA Tour. It Bringing together the best talents from around the world and giving them a global platform to showcase their abilities. Congratulations to Ding Wenyi for becoming the inaugural champion, setting a high standard for future stars and we look forward to welcoming him to the DP World Tour next season. “Sai.”
“With players more ready than ever to succeed immediately after turning pro, the PGA Tour has invested heavily in preparing elite amateurs,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. Charting a clear path for players as they transition to the professional game and the PGA Tour.” “With PGA Tour University’s immediate success and proof of concept in hand, we’re excited about the next steps, announced today with DP World Tour and the R&A. Launching the first-ever Global Amateur Pathway program together, with PGA TOUR College and Global Amateur Pathways working in parallel, we believe these direct and strategic routes to high-performing, budding amateurs will accelerate the identification and development of tomorrow’s stars. process.”
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: “We would like to congratulate the first group of golfers to receive exemptions to compete on the professional tours through the global amateur route. These players are participating in prestigious amateur events held around the world this season. There have been notable performances and successes in the Championship and we look forward to seeing them progress in their careers.”
The Global Amateur Pathway complements PGA Tour College, which awards PGA Tour-sanctioned tour membership to top collegiate golfers following the NCAA Championships, ensuring that elite players in the amateur ranks have access to opportunities.
Under the Global Amateur Pathway, Ding was the most eligible non-college male amateur in the WAGR® top 20 during the ranking period and thus received a DP World Tour card for the following season.
