emirates7 - The MENA Golf Tour will make its comeback later this year, with Keith Waters — former DP World Tour Chief Operating Officer and long-time Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) board member — appointed as its new Chairman and Commissioner.
Waters, who spent more than four decades shaping the DP World Tour and played a key role in launching the OWGR in 2004, is expected to greatly enhance the Tour’s profile and influence.
Founded in 2011, the MENA Golf Tour remains the only OWGR-recognised golf circuit based in the Middle East, offering crucial competitive opportunities for both regional and international professionals.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the MENA Golf Tour’s relaunch,” Waters said. “It has enormous potential and serves as an important stepping stone for golfers worldwide. We’ve already seen success stories like Robert MacIntyre, who rose from this Tour to claim titles such as the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA TOUR and the Genesis Scottish Open on the DP World Tour.”
MacIntyre, currently ranked second on the European Ryder Cup list, added: “The MENA Golf Tour gave me opportunities, taught me how to win, and prepared me for the demands of the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. I’m glad to see it return for the next generation.”
Waters confirmed that the MENA Golf Tour will retain its OWGR eligibility and feature a prize fund of $100,000 per event. Each 54-hole tournament will have a 36-hole cut to the top 60 and ties, with the winner receiving $18,000.
The 2025/2026 season will include 12 events, kicking off in Portugal. The opening tournament will be preceded by a Qualifying School in November for non-exempt players.
Waters, who spent more than four decades shaping the DP World Tour and played a key role in launching the OWGR in 2004, is expected to greatly enhance the Tour’s profile and influence.
Founded in 2011, the MENA Golf Tour remains the only OWGR-recognised golf circuit based in the Middle East, offering crucial competitive opportunities for both regional and international professionals.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the MENA Golf Tour’s relaunch,” Waters said. “It has enormous potential and serves as an important stepping stone for golfers worldwide. We’ve already seen success stories like Robert MacIntyre, who rose from this Tour to claim titles such as the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA TOUR and the Genesis Scottish Open on the DP World Tour.”
MacIntyre, currently ranked second on the European Ryder Cup list, added: “The MENA Golf Tour gave me opportunities, taught me how to win, and prepared me for the demands of the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. I’m glad to see it return for the next generation.”
Waters confirmed that the MENA Golf Tour will retain its OWGR eligibility and feature a prize fund of $100,000 per event. Each 54-hole tournament will have a 36-hole cut to the top 60 and ties, with the winner receiving $18,000.
The 2025/2026 season will include 12 events, kicking off in Portugal. The opening tournament will be preceded by a Qualifying School in November for non-exempt players.