Clutch Pro Tour
Current season, competition or edition: 2024 Clutch Pro Tour | |
| Sport | Golf |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Tom Hayward |
| First season | 2020 |
| CEO | Tom Hayward |
| Countries | Based in England[a] |
| Most titles | Tournament wins: Giles Evans (5) |
| Related competitions | Tartan Pro Tour |
| Official website | https://www.clutchprotour.co.uk/ |
The Clutch Pro Tour, currently titled as the Mizuno Next Gen Series for sponsorships reasons, is a series of developmental golf tournaments played in England. The tour is open to both male and female professionals.
History[edit]
The tour was created in 2019 by Tom Hayward to give lower level professionals more playing opportunities as well as helping progress their careers. The inaugural season took place after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in June 2020.[1]
In May 2022, the tour undertook a sponsorship agreement with Mizuno Golf, being renamed as the Mizuno Next Gen Series.[2][3]
In December 2022, it was announced that the Clutch Pro Tour and the Tartan Pro Tour would become official feeder tours to the Challenge Tour in place of the now-defunct PGA EuroPro Tour. The Clutch Pro Tour would offer Challenge Tour status to the top two players on the Order of Merit.[4] In December 2023, it was confirmed that an additional player (three in total) from the Order of Merit would be awarded Challenge Tour status for the following season.[5]
In April 2024, it was announced that the tour would be included into the Official World Golf Ranking with immediate affect, having undergone a 17-month application process.[6]
Order of Merit winners[edit]
| Year | Winner | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | George Bloor |
4,129 |
| 2022 | Giles Evans |
4,098 |
| 2021 |  Daniel Gaunt |
3,063 |
| 2020 | Mitch Waite |
5,228 |
Tier 2[edit]
In October 2022, the tour announced a new second-tier to their ecosystem. The tier 2 was added to increase playing opportunities and prize money for players, with the top 15 on the Tier 2 Order of Merit earning status to play on the main Clutch Pro Tour for the following season.[7][8]
Tier 2 Order of Merit winners[edit]
| Year | Winner | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Conor White |
3,567 |
Notes[edit]
- ^ Schedules have also included events in Northern Ireland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Wales.
References[edit]
- ^ Heath, Elliott (3 June 2020). "The Clutch Pro Tour - The New UK Golf Tour For Male and Female Pros". Golf Monthly. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "Mizuno 'Next Gen' Series Announced". Mizuno Golf. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Mizuno backs Clutch Pro Tour's 'Next Gen' series". Golf Business News. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Clutch Pro Tour to become Official Feeder Tour to the Challenge Tour". European Tour. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ Dempster, Martin (13 December 2023). "Paul Lawrie delighted to see Tartan Pro Tour offer two Challenge Tour cards in 2024". The Scotsman. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ "Clutch Pro Tour". Official World Golf Ranking. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Cradock, Matt (22 October 2022). "Clutch Pro Tour Unveils New Changes Ahead Of 2023 Season". Golf Monthly. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Clutch Pro Tour [@clutchprotour] (December 8, 2022). "Proud to release the Tier 2 OOM on The Mizuno Next Gen Series 2023" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 October 2023 – via Twitter.