What Is 1999-00 PGA Tour of Australasia

Overview

The 1999–00 PGA Tour of Australasia marked the 29th season of the region's premier professional golf circuit, sanctioned by PGA Australia. It served as a critical developmental and competitive platform for golfers across Oceania and Southeast Asia, bridging regional play with international exposure.

This season featured a compact schedule compared to modern tours, emphasizing high-profile national events and co-sanctioned tournaments. It helped maintain competitive continuity for players not regularly competing on the U.S.-based PGA Tour or European Tour.

• 17 official events were held between October 1999 and March 2000, forming the core schedule of the season.
• Robert Allenby claimed the Order of Merit title, finishing with total earnings of A$569,742, the highest on tour.
• The Australian Open, held in December 1999 at The Lakes Golf Club, was the most prestigious event and attracted international talent.
• Greg Chalmers won the most tournaments during the season, capturing two titles including the Queensland Open.
• The tour was co-sanctioned with the European Tour for select events, enhancing prize money and player rankings.

How It Works

The PGA Tour of Australasia operates as a merit-based golf circuit where players earn ranking points and prize money through tournament performance. The 1999–00 season followed a traditional format with stroke-play events culminating in an Order of Merit winner.

• Order of Merit: A season-long points race based on prize money earnings; Robert Allenby won it with A$569,742 in official winnings.
• Eligible Events: Only 17 tournaments counted toward the Order of Merit, all held across Australia and one in New Zealand.
• Co-sanctioning: Events like the ANZ Masters were co-sanctioned with the European Tour, offering dual ranking points and larger purses.
• Player Eligibility: Open to PGA members and international professionals; 28 players earned full playing rights based on prior rankings.
• Prize Funds: Total prize money exceeded A$6 million across the season, with individual events averaging around A$350,000.
• Scoring Format: All events used standard 72-hole stroke play, with cuts after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 60 and ties.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1999–00 PGA Tour of Australasia with other major tours during the same period:

The Australasian tour was significantly smaller in scale than its global counterparts, both in event count and financial scope. However, its co-sanctioning agreements allowed players to earn world ranking points and qualify for major championships, giving it outsized influence relative to size.

Why It Matters

The 1999–00 season played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of several future international stars and maintaining the competitiveness of Australian golf. It provided a structured pathway for regional players to gain experience and visibility on the world stage.

• Robert Allenby's success helped him gain entry into PGA Tour events and boosted his Official World Golf Ranking position.
• The tour served as a proving ground for future major champions, including Adam Scott, who began his pro career shortly after.
• Co-sanctioned events increased media coverage and attracted sponsors like ANZ Bank and Heineken.
• Players earned valuable Official World Golf Ranking points, crucial for qualifying for majors and World Golf Championships.
• The season highlighted Australia’s role in the global golf ecosystem, especially between the Asian and European circuits.
• It reinforced PGA Australia’s ability to organize high-level events despite limited financial resources compared to U.S. or European tours.

Overall, the 1999–00 PGA Tour of Australasia was a cornerstone season that balanced regional tradition with growing international integration, setting the stage for future expansion and player development.