
Mena Golf Tour returns with Keith Waters at helm
The addition of Waters, who brings over 40 years of expertise developing the DP World Tour and was instrumental in founding the OWGR in 2004, is set to significantly elevate the Tour's status and influence.
Established in 2011, the MENA Golf Tour remains the only OWGR-recognised circuit headquartered in the Middle East, providing vital opportunities for professional golfers from the region and around the globe.
'I'm delighted to be involved in the relaunch of the MENA Golf Tour,' said Waters. 'This Tour has tremendous potential and serves as a crucial pathway for golfers, not just from the Middle East, but internationally. We have already seen success stories such as Robert MacIntyre, who progressed from the MENA Golf Tour to winning prestigious titles like the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA TOUR and the Genesis Scottish Open on the DP World Tour.'
MacIntyre, currently second on the European Ryder Cup ranking, said: 'The MENA Golf Tour opened doors, taught me how to win, and prepared me for the challenges of the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. I'm excited to see it return and give the next generation of players the same opportunities I had.'
"We're pleased the MENA Golf Tour will remain an eligible Official World Golf Ranking tour as well as prize money of $100,000 per event," said Waters. "Each tournament will be contested over 54 holes, featuring a 36-hole cut to the top 60 players and ties, with the winner taking home $18,000."
The relaunched 2025/2026 MENA Golf Tour season will feature a 12-event schedule, commencing in Portugal. The opening event will follow a Qualifying School in November designed specifically for non-exempt players.
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15 Aug 2025 01:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The MENA Golf Tour is set to return later this year after a brief hiatus, with 12 events lined up on its revival since the 2022-23 season. Making the announcement was the newly appointed Chairman and Commissioner of the Tour, Keith Waters, an industry veteran who is set to significantly elevate the Tour's status and former DP World Tour Chief Operating Officer and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) brings over 40 years of expertise. He was instrumental in founding the OWGR in 2004 and developing the DP World Tour while still serving the OWGR as a board member.'I'm delighted to be involved in the relaunch of the MENA Golf Tour. We're pleased the MENA Golf Tour will remain an eligible Official World Golf Ranking tour as well as prize money of $100,000 per event,' said Waters. 'Each tournament will be contested over 54 holes, featuring a 36-hole cut to the top 60 players and ties, with the winner taking home $18,000.'The relaunched 2025/2026 MENA Golf Tour season will feature a 12-event schedule, commencing in Portugal. The opening event will follow a Qualifying School in November designed specifically for non-exempt in 2011, the MENA Golf Tour remains the only OWGR-recognised circuit headquartered in the Middle East, providing vital opportunities for professional golfers from the region and around the globe.'This Tour has tremendous potential and serves as a crucial pathway for golfers, not just from the Middle East, but internationally,' said Waters. 'We have already seen success stories such as Robert MacIntyre, who progressed from the MENA Golf Tour to winning prestigious titles like the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA TOUR and the Genesis Scottish Open on the DP World Tour.'MacIntyre, second on the European Ryder Cup ranking, said, 'The MENA Golf Tour opened doors, taught me how to win, and prepared me for the challenges of the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. I'm excited to see it return and give the next generation of players the same opportunities I had.' From 2011, the MENA Tour has been a beacon of light on the greens of the UAE and wider geographical area for regional golfers. After a blip with a season missed in 2018, the Tour continued before the pandemic wiped out the 2021 season. On its second restart, the MENA Tour gave way to LIV Golf in a strategic decision, keeping the OWGR ranking points in mind.


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Khaleej Times
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