The Most Exciting DP World Tour Events to Watch in 2022

As we begin the year of 2022, we say goodbye to the European Tour and hello to the DP World Tour, following the rebranding decision that took place last year.

Although it will no longer be known as the European Tour, other than a name change, not much else will be altered - although there will be more events held outside of Europe.

However, simply put, it’s the same tour which will feature similar players playing predominantly on the same courses.

A new year provides new opportunity, and there are some marvellous events scheduled into the DP World Tour’s first official season.

Below, we inform you of ten dates (non major or WGC) that you will definitely want to pencil into your diary.

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Date: January 20-23

Venue: Yas Links

Reigning Champion: Tyrrell Hatton (-18)

The last ball struck in European Tour history came in November, where Collin Morikawa produced a peerless finish to become the first American golfer to win the Race to Dubai title. Almost seven weeks has passed since that iconic performance, and golf fans will be delighted to know that the new season kicks off with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, starting from the 20th of January. Tyrrell Hatton started last year off in fine form, securing a four stroke victory over nearest competitor Jason Scrivener. This tournament has become synonymous with the start of the new golfing season, and with a packed out field, we can expect a heavyweight contest that should result in nail-biting viewing.

Dubai Desert Classic

Date: January 27-30

Venue: Emirates Golf Club

Reigning Champion: Paul Casey (-17)

To say that this tournament holds special importance to Dubai would be a severe understatement. The very first edition took place in 1989 and if you can access photos from that competition, it’s surreal to see how quickly Dubai has built itself up. Similarly to the Abu Dhabi Championship, this is another Rolex Event and considering this, we can expect a stellar field for successive weeks to launch the DP World Tour. Paul Casey will be looking to defend his title, after a riveting display recorded a four-stroke victory. He failed to add further glory last season, but Casey will be hoping for a big year that could end with an elusive major championship.

ISPS Handa Championship

Date: April 21-24

Venue: PGM Ishioka Golf Club

Reigning Champion: N/A (New Event)

Golf-obsessed nation Japan will become the 51st country to have hosted a DP World Tour Event (including European Tour timeframe) and the beautiful PGM Ishioka Golf Club will be showcased during the competition.

British Masters

Date: May 5-8

Venue: The Belfry

Reigning Champion: Richard Bland (-13) playoff

Can you name me another sport where a 48-year-old man, who has dedicated his entire life to his chosen sport, manages to finally win his inaugural title in his 478th start? No, me neither. Moreover, someone has actually gone longer - it took Malcolm MacKenzie 509 starts before tasting victory for the first time! Last year’s British Masters made Richard Bland into a household name, and it truly could not have happened to someone more deserving. The setting for the tournament is almost identical from last year, with The Belfry the chosen venue and Danny Willett to host again – can Bland secure his second title?

Scandinavian Mixed

Date: June 9-12

Venue: Halmstad Golf Club

Reigning Champion: Jonathan Caldwell (-17)

The Scandinavian Masters had long been part of the European Tour rotation, but when it became co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour, we knew we were in for something special. Both this tournament and the ISPS Handa World Invitational event have been created with the intention of bridging the gap between the male and female game. With more events like this, watching both men and women compete on the same course and at the same time, we should see a vast surge of viewership for the female tours. Jonathan Caldwell is the defending champion from last year, but 24-year-old Alice Hewson finished third and the highest of the female participants.

Scottish Open

Date: July 7-10

Venue: The Renaissance Club

Reigning Champion: Min Woo Lee (-18) playoff

Perhaps the most exciting of all the events included, the Scottish Open will be part of the PGA Tour calendar to allow players to travel over and experience links golf in readiness for the Open Championship. This is the first time that this has taken place, and if you also consider that it is indeed a Rolex Event, we are guaranteed a mighty field. In fact, with the Open Championship taking place only seven days later, we are set for an exhilarating two-week period in the middle of July! The Renaissance Club will be playing host to the event, where Min Woo Lee will be looking to defend his title.

BMW PGA Championship

Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography

Date: September 8-11

Venue:  Wentworth Club

Reigning Champion: Billy Horschel

The BMW PGA Championship took place in September, so we’ll have to wait a significant amount of time for the 2022 edition. Nevertheless, this was the flagship event on the European Tour for good reason. The tournament typically entices the best players from the DP World Tour but last year’s victor travelled a touch further as American Billy Horschel secured his second victory of the season - but failed to force his way into Steve Stricker’s Ryder Cup plans.

Open de France

Date: September 22-25

Venue: Le Golf National  

Reigning Champion (2019): Nicolas Colsaerts (-12)

Europe’s oldest national Open will finally return to the annual calendar, as professional golf returns to Le Golf National for the first time since 2019. Unfortunately, due to ongoing COVID-19 issues, both the 2020 and 2021 edition of the French Open was regretfully cancelled, with players and fans hugely disappointed as a consequence. However, a return to the iconic 2018 Ryder Cup venue is long overdue and high-profile players of the Tour will be ensuring that they have secured their place in one of Europe’s grandest golfing events.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 

Date: September 29 - October 2

Venue: St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns

Reigning Champion: Danny Willett (-18)

Links golf will be celebrated again this year, as the DP World Tour head to Scotland for three of Scotland’s finest tests to be showcased. St Andrews’ Old Course, Carnoustie’s Championship Course and Kingsbarns will be the three courses selected for play. This tournament is a Pro-Am, so expect to see many famous faces hacking their way around Scotland’s elite! Former personalities to have played include Gary Lineker, Ian Botham, Hugh Grant, Justin Timberlake and Michael Phelps.

DP World Tour Championship 

Date: November 17-20

Venue: Jumeirah Golf Estates

Reigning Champion: Collin Morikawa (-17)

The big one. This year’s Tour Championship - the first in DP World Tour history - will take place during the penultimate week of November. The bitterness may be settling in the UK, but Dubai will hopefully be blazing with both sunshine and birdies! Collin Morikawa continued to display his class last season, which culminated in the capture of both the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai. Jumeirah Golf Estates is often referred to as one tough test of golf, and we’re sure they’re going to be setting the course up to be even more troublesome for the year’s finale.

As we depart ways with the European Tour, the DP World Tour that replaces it looks set to continue its long and rich history.

With a larger prize kitty and more events scheduled for the diary, this year looks set to become the biggest on record.

Are you hoping to attend any DP World Tour tournaments this year? Let us know in the comments.