– The first stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying School, held over nearly a month and a half across ten venues, concluded on 10 October with a total of 175 players advancing to the second stage, or semi-finals, which will take place from 30 October to 2 November at four Spanish venues: Desert Springs in Almería, Isla Canela in Huelva, Las Pinaillas in Albacete, and Fontanals in Girona. These 175 players will join others who were already qualified through various exemptions, and they will all compete for a spot in the Final, which will be held from 7 to 12 November at Infinitum Golf (Tarragona, Spain).
– Out of those 175 players who advanced from the first to the second stage, 42 are American, a truly significant number. In other words, nearly one in four of the qualifiers held a stars and stripes passport. No other nationality comes close (England has qualified 29 players).
– It should be noted that a total of 189 American players competed in this first stage across ten different venues, another truly important figure. This is further evidence of a trend that has been growing stronger each year, especially in recent times: the European circuit is now a highly regarded pathway for young players starting their professional careers (including some amateurs), or for others seeking a second or third chance to secure a spot on a major tour.
– In 2018, 16 Americans managed to qualify for the second stage of the School, and it was in 2019 when a significant leap occurred, with 27 qualifiers. From that point, the number has increased each year: in 2020 and 2021, there was no School due to the pandemic, but in 2022 the number rose to 29, in 2023 it increased again to 34, with 38 qualifying in 2024 and these 42 in 2025. This is further proof of the vast human capital of American professional golf and the broadening horizons that have been emerging in recent times.
– It should be noted that only four Spanish players have progressed in this first stage: Borja Martín, Pablo Ereño, Scott Fernández, and David Borda.
– Another matter is the impact these numbers have on the final count of DP World Tour cards distributed after the Final of the School. Most Americans fall by the wayside, as expected, but last year four American players secured playing rights in the Final, a more than respectable number (Ryggs Johnston, Dan Erickson, Crey Shaun, and Davis Bryant). We’ll see if these numbers also increase in 2025.
