Ding Wenyi officially turned professional.
That had always been the plan, but it became reality on Wednesday morning when the 19-year-old star from China turned pro, earning a spot on the DP World Tour for the 2025 season by virtue of his position in the global amateur rankings.
The DP World Tour, PGA Tour and R&A launch GAP to provide the world's best non-college amateurs with direct access to professional golf. Ding, who left ASU this fall and stayed with the team for just one semester, won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship two weeks ago, but waived his exemption from the majors and immediately joined the professional ranks.
“I am excited to start my career and look forward to competing on the DP World Tour next season,” Ding said in a press release. “The Global Amateur Path has given me an incredible opportunity and I would like to thank the DP World Tour, R&A and PGA Tour for supporting me and my fellow amateurs in achieving our goals.”
Ding Junhui, who turns 20 next month, will make his professional debut in his home country this week at the Challenge Tour Hangzhou Open in Hangzhou, China. His DP World Tour debut is expected to take place in Australia at the end of November.
Ding isn't the only amateur to benefit from GAP. Also exempt from the European Challenge Tour are Jacob Skov-Olsen, Louis Massavi and Bastian Amat. Meanwhile, Peter Fountain, Jake Hall, Nathan Petronzio and Ben Warian received PGA Tour of the Americas memberships for the 2025 Latin American Swing.
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 brings together the best talents from around the world and provides them with 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.”
As for Ding, he's looking forward to his professional career starting Thursday not far from home.
“I'm excited about this tournament, but for me, I feel normal and just want to play well,” he said.
