Players lose DP World Tour rights

Several golfers, including Matthieu Pavon, will not retain their playing rights on the DP World Tour for 2027. This list includes former European Tour champions like Pablo Larrazábal and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, as well as other notable names such as Elvis Smylie and Thorbjorn Olesen.

Pavon’s status uncertain

Matthieu Pavon is trying to secure a conditional status on the PGA Tour during the FedExCup Fall but is unlikely to make the top 100 of the Race to Dubai. This means he will not have full playing rights on the DP World Tour in 2027, leaving him in a precarious position.

Pavon’s performance and challenges

The French golfer played 22 tournaments on the PGA Tour in 2026, with four top 25 finishes. However, after finishing 135th in the FedEx Cup Fall before the Bermuda Championship and now projected at 141st, Pavon is more than ten places away from the threshold for a conditional status. This puts him at risk of losing exemptions on both tours.

Upcoming opportunities for Pavon

Pavon has four tournaments remaining to try to improve his standing, starting with the VidantaWorld Mexico Open next week. The event will feature top-ranked golfer Wyndham Clark, currently ranked fifth in the world. This could be a crucial opportunity for Pavon to change his trajectory.

Other golfers in similar situations

Pavon is not alone in this challenging situation. Players like Pablo Larrazábal, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, and Dylan Frittelli are also expected to finish outside the European top 100. However, some, such as Harry Hall and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, have better positions in the FedExCup Fall and may have alternative options on the PGA Tour.