The International Series is a relatively new but rapidly growing series of professional golf tournaments aimed at building pathways to the big stage. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, it serves as both a competitive platform and a developmental circuit, providing golfers with a unique opportunity to compete at a high level and progress in their careers.
Sanctioned by the Asian Tour
The Asian Tour, recognised for promoting golf across the continent and nurturing up-and-coming talent, has embraced the International Golf Series as a key component of its competitive schedule.
The Aramco Team Series (ATS) shares some similarities in that the five ATS events are sanctioned as part of the Ladies European Tour (LET) schedule, and are aimed at promoting women’s golf to offer a platform for development alongside an inflated prize fund of $1M — a significant increase from the LET average of $336,400.
The partnership aligns with the Asian Tour’s mission to develop the standards of golf in Asia, offering players increased opportunities to showcase their skills on an international stage. The sanctioning ensures that the International Series adheres to high competitive standards, benefiting from the Asian Tour’s reputation and global reach.
The Series hosts ten events in total during the season, six of which are underwritten as isolated, full International Series Events. The other four are included as part of the Asian Tour schedule, with the Series adding to the prize fund. These include:
- Indonesian Masters, Indonesia
- Black Mountain Championship, Thailand
- Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong
- PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisors, Saudi Arabia
Pathway to the LIV Tour
One of the most intriguing aspects of the International Golf Series is its role as a feeder tour to LIV. With its alluring prize funds and high-profile events, LIV Golf has established itself as somewhat of a rival to the PGA Tour, having already taken some of the biggest names in golf including, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm.
With a successful season in the Series, golfers can earn the attention and qualifying points necessary to secure invitations to LIV Tour events. This pathway plays a crucial part for players aiming to pursue their careers and compete against the best in the world, serving as another option outside of the Korn Ferry and Challenge Tour.
Prize Money
The International Golf Series offers substantial financial incentives, with the prize money for each event set at a minimum of $2M.
The purses in these tournaments exceed all of the traditional feeder tours (Korn Ferry Avg: $1.07M, Challenge Tour Avg: $349.8k), reflecting the series’ commitment to attracting top-tier talent and providing a viable financial stepping stone for players aspiring to reach the LIV Tour.
Big-name golfers at the International Series
The International Golf Series has already attracted a host of prominent golfers, helping to add to its growing reputation.
Some of the notable names who have competed in the Series include Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Richard Bland, Harold Varner III, Joaquin Niemann and Thomas Pieters.
The likes of these players, along with Asian Tour regulars and regional talents, make the International Series a dynamic environment for competitive golf.
Though opinions on the LIV Tour may be divided, the International Series represents an important development in the world of professional golf.
By providing a pathway to the LIV Tour and offering substantial prize money — which has long been needed in the lower levels of golf — it attracts top-tier talent and rising stars alike. With big-name golfers participating, the International Series continues to grow in prominence, allowing golfers the chance to make their mark on the global stage.
