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.
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/ |
History
editThe tour was created in 2019 by Tom Hayward, a former professional golfer, 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] Each event is a 54-hole tournament with a 36-hole cut for the 50 plus ties. Beginning in 2025, the tour also has a season-ending no-cut championship and a qualifying tournament.
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][7]
Order of Merit winners
edit| Year | Winner | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Callan Barrow |
1,970 |
| 2023 | George Bloor |
4,129 |
| 2022 | Giles Evans |
4,098 |
| 2021 |  Daniel Gaunt |
3,063 |
| 2020 | Mitch Waite |
5,228 |
Tier 2
editIn 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.[8][9]
Tier 2 Order of Merit winners
edit| Year | Winner | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 |  Jack Madden |
1,655 |
| 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.
- ^ McNamara, Ronan (26 April 2024). "OWGR announces ranking points for 54-hole Clutch Pro Tour". Irish Golfer. Retrieved 17 May 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] (8 December 2022). "Proud to release the Tier 2 OOM on The Mizuno Next Gen Series 2023" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 October 2023 – via Twitter.