The European Tour group and Trackman are excited to announce an expanded partnership with the NEXT Golf Tour Powered by Trackman, offering even greater career-changing opportunities for the next generation of professional golfers.
- Creates career-changing opportunities for a new generation of players
- Season three champion to get one start on the DP World Tour and three starts on the Challenge Tour
- NEXT Golf Tour season three tees off December 11
Building on the success of the inaugural collaboration during season two of the NEXT Golf Tour, this enhanced partnership further solidifies the organisations’ shared commitment to forging new pathways in professional golf.
The expanded partnership for 2024–2025 will deliver a range of impactful opportunities and increased visibility for NEXT Golf Tour participants:
- One DP World Tour invite: The NEXT Golf Tour season three champion (top-ranked male player on the Order of Merit) will earn a coveted spot in one DP World Tour tournament during the 2025 season.
- Six Challenge Tour invites: The season three champion will also receive invitations to compete in three Challenge Tour tournaments in 2025, while the runner up on the Order of Merit will also receive three invites.
- Coverage support from the DP World Tour: A dedicated feature showcasing the NEXT Golf Tour and its players will air on Saturday broadcasts of DP World Tour events, while editorial and social media coverage of the NEXT Golf Tour will be featured on European Tour group channels.
The NEXT Golf Tour tees off on December 11, and every shot from every player can be followed in real-time on the live leaderboard at www.nextgolftour.com. Sign-ups for round one of the three-round tournament series are now open, and will close once the tournament begins (or when the maximum field of 1,000 players has been reached).
The success of the partnership was epitomised by season two champion Jordan Weber, whose triumph not only earned him more than $90,000 (USD) but also propelled him to compete on some of golf’s biggest stages, including the DP World Tour’s European Open and three Challenge Tour events. Reflecting on his journey, Weber shared: "The NEXT Golf Tour gave me that opportunity to compete again at a high level. To come out on top, I still don’t really believe it, but I am so proud. It is something that I will remember for the rest of my life. It changed my life, and I am really proud of it."
Weber turned professional back in 2008, but prior to participating in the NEXT Golf Tour, he had been away from playing professionally for more than a decade. His story illustrates the transformative potential of the NEXT Golf Tour, a platform designed to provide tangible opportunities for players to develop and showcase their skills. You can watch the emotional story of Jordan Weber and his journey to the DP World Tour here.
Another remarkable example of how the NEXT Golf Tour creates significant opportunities for players is Nick Carlson. Carlson won the final regular-season event on the NEXT Golf Tour, delivering an incredible hole-out from 299 yards on the 16th hole at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course en route to winning the $50,000 prize. Carlson’s full-season prize money was just shy of $60,000, which he called “life-changing.” Working as a substitute teacher before joining NEXT, he used his winnings to quit his job and play a full season in 2024 on mini-tours across the U.S. He also saved part of his earnings to enter the DP World Tour Qualifying School. In November, Carlson made the 72-hole cut at the final stage, securing playing status for the 2025 Challenge Tour. You can see his story here.
Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen, Co-Founder and CEO of Trackman, emphasised the importance of this expanded partnership: “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with the European Tour group. The NEXT Golf Tour has already proven to be a transformative platform for players, and these new enhancements reflect our commitment to growing the game and providing even more opportunities for players to shine. The NEXT Golf Tour is a real professional tour, and while it does take place indoors, the nerves, drama, and opportunities are still as real as it gets. Thanks to cutting-edge Trackman technology, what was once a gimmicky and distant imitation of real golf has evolved into an experience that rivals the real thing. Today, every round feels authentic, and the players undoubtedly feel the pressure.”
Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament and Operations Officer at the European Tour group, added: “The expanded partnership with Trackman and the NEXT Golf Tour not only aligns with our goal of nurturing future stars, but also brings the excitement of virtual golf to a broader audience. After the success of our inaugural season as partners, we’re looking forward to identifying more talented players through this pathway and giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills on the Challenge Tour and DP World Tour.”
