Dubai-based pro Garrick Porteous is using a stats-based approach for the remainder of the DP World Tour season to ensure he gives himself the best chance at securing full playing privileges for the 2025 season.
The Englishman, who moved to Dubai last year, is currently ranked 156th on the Race to Dubai Rankings, with only the top 114 players keeping their card for the following season.
Having secured his DP World Tour card through Qualifying School, Porteous’ exemption category of 18 will only get him into around 15 events this season, with starts at the Italian Open, Czech Masters, Danish Golf Championship, British Masters and European Masters still to come.
Depending on how well he does in those tournaments, Porteous could well turn his focus to the Challenge Tour at the back-end of the season after winning the Abu Dhabi Challenge earlier this year.
The 34-year-old is currently ranked 19th on the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings, with the top 20 following the culmination of the Challenge Tour Grand Final receiving DP World Tour memberships.
“I did some stats and you’re 45% more likely to keep your card through the Challenge Tour than you are through Qualifying School,” said Porteous.
“Graduating from the Challenge Tour will get you into 25+ events rather than around 15 events that I’ll be playing this season.
“Depending on how I play in my remaining events, I might drop down to the Challenge Tour as I can play a full schedule there.
“At the end of the year, there are two events in China which I’ve already qualified for as they are open to the top 70. So, I think I might drop down to play them and try and bank my card for next season that way.”
From the 20 Challenge Tour graduates last season, 14 of them are currently the right side of keeping their full playing privileges, while two, Matteo Manassero and Jesper Svensson, have won on the DP World Tour this season.
As well as his upcoming starts on the DP World Tour, Porteous will also try and play his way into The Open Championship next week when he takes on Final Qualifying.
The Trump International Golf Club Dubai member will return to Royal Cinque Ports to try and book his spot in the final Major Championship of the season, 11 years after winning the prestigious Amateur Championship at the same venue.
