What Is 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia

Overview

The 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia was the 41st edition of the professional golf circuit based in Australia and New Zealand. Sanctioned by PGA Australia, the tour served as a developmental and competitive platform for golfers across Oceania and attracted international talent.

Running from November 2013 through November 2014, the season featured 18 official events, including co-sanctioned tournaments with the European Tour and the Asian Tour. The tour provided Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points and offered players a pathway to higher-tier tours such as the PGA Tour and European Tour.

• 18 official events were held across Australia and New Zealand, including the Australian Open and New Zealand Open.
• The ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf in Melbourne was co-sanctioned by the European Tour and held in November 2014.
• Brendan Jones claimed the Order of Merit title with earnings of AUD $348,000, edging out Greg Chalmers.
• The Victorian Open returned to the schedule after a five-year hiatus, hosted at the Thiele Course at Moonah Links.
• Several events, including the Perth International, were co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, increasing prize money and international participation.

How It Works

The PGA Tour of Australasia operates as a regional professional golf tour, offering ranking points, prize money, and global exposure to players primarily from Australia and New Zealand.

• Order of Merit: The season-long points race is based on prize money earned in official events. Brendan Jones won the 2014 title with AUD $348,000 in earnings.
• Co-sanctioning Agreements: The tour partners with the European Tour and Asian Tour for select events, boosting prize funds and OWGR points availability.
• Eligibility: Professional golfers from around the world can compete, though most participants are from Australia, New Zealand, or the Asia-Pacific region.
• Tournament Format: Most events follow a 72-hole stroke play format, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 60 players and ties.
• OWGR Points: Select tournaments award Official World Golf Ranking points, helping players qualify for major championships and global events.
• Pathway to Major Tours: Strong performances can earn players entry into events on the PGA Tour, European Tour, or Asian Tour via performance exemptions.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia with other major regional tours in terms of structure, prize money, and global reach.

The 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia offered fewer events and lower average prize funds compared to global tours, but its co-sanctioned events provided valuable OWGR points. Its role in developing regional talent remains critical for golfers aiming to compete internationally.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season underscored the tour’s importance in nurturing golf talent in the Southern Hemisphere and providing a competitive bridge to elite golf circuits.

• The tour helped develop future international stars, including players who later competed in majors and on the PGA Tour.
• Co-sanctioned events like the World Cup of Golf raised the tour’s profile and attracted global media attention.
• It provided critical playing opportunities for Australian and New Zealand professionals during the northern winter season.
• The Order of Merit offered a clear performance benchmark, influencing player eligibility for international events.
• Strong performances could lead to exemptions into The Open Championship or other majors via OWGR qualification.
• The tour strengthened regional golf infrastructure, supporting clubs, sponsors, and local economies across Australasia.

By balancing local development with global integration, the 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia played a pivotal role in the international golf ecosystem, serving as both a proving ground and a springboard for emerging talent.