What Is 2024 WPGA Tour of Australasia

Overview

The 2024 WPGA Tour of Australasia is the official professional golf tour for women in Australia and New Zealand, organized by the Women's Professional Golfers' Association (WPGA). It serves as the primary competitive platform for female golfers in the region, offering ranking points, world tour qualification opportunities, and career development.

Now in its 14th season under the WPGA banner, the 2024 tour features a strengthened schedule and increased prize funds compared to previous years. The tour continues to grow in stature, attracting international talent while nurturing homegrown stars aiming for global recognition.

• 14 official events are scheduled across Australia and New Zealand between February and November 2024, including co-sanctioned tournaments with the Ladies European Tour (LET).
• The total prize purse for the 2024 season exceeds AUD $2.3 million, marking a 12% increase from the 2023 season.
• The ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open, held in February 2024 at Kingston Heath Golf Club, is the tour's premier event with a prize pool of AUD $1.3 million.
• The tour is co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour for five events, allowing players to earn dual ranking points and boost global visibility.
• Players earn points toward the WPGA Order of Merit, with the season champion receiving a bonus of AUD $100,000 and exemptions into major international events.

How It Works

The WPGA Tour of Australasia operates as a season-long competition where players accumulate points and prize money across sanctioned events. Performance determines rankings, qualification for majors, and invitations to international tours.

• Eligibility: Professional female golfers must hold WPGA membership or receive a sponsor’s invitation. International players are welcome and often compete in co-sanctioned events.
• Scoring Format: Tournaments follow standard 72-hole stroke play rules. In case of ties, a sudden-death playoff determines the winner after regulation play ends.
• Prize Distribution: Each event allocates prize money based on finishing position, with the winner typically receiving 18–20% of the total purse.
• Order of Merit: Points are awarded based on finishing positions, with the season’s top performer crowned and awarded a significant cash bonus.
• World Ranking Points: WPGA events contribute to the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), helping players qualify for LPGA and major championships.
• Qualification Pathways: Top performers earn exemptions into events like the Women’s PGA Championship and AIG Women’s Open through strong finishes in designated tournaments.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2024 WPGA Tour of Australasia with other major women’s golf tours:

While the WPGA Tour of Australasia has fewer events and lower prize money than global counterparts, its strategic co-sanctioning agreements enhance player exposure. The tour plays a critical role in developing talent for the LPGA and LET, especially for players from Oceania.

Why It Matters

The 2024 WPGA Tour of Australasia is vital for advancing women’s golf in the Southern Hemisphere, providing competitive opportunities and visibility for female athletes. It supports gender equity in sports and inspires the next generation of golfers.

• Develops elite talent: The tour has produced stars like Hannah Green and Minjee Lee, who have gone on to win LPGA majors.
• Boosts regional visibility: Broadcast partnerships with Fox Sports Australia and Sky Sport New Zealand increase public engagement.
• Encourages youth participation: Grassroots programs linked to tour events have increased junior female enrollment by 18% since 2020.
• Strengthens international ties: Co-sanctioning with the LET enhances global competitiveness and player mobility.
• Advances gender equity: Equal prize funds in co-sanctioned events promote fairness and professional recognition.
• Supports economic growth: Tour events generate local tourism revenue, with the Australian Open alone contributing AUD $8.2 million to Victoria’s economy in 2024.

As the tour continues to expand, it solidifies its role as a cornerstone of women’s professional golf in the Asia-Pacific region.