ZIMBABWEAN golfer Benjamin Follett-Smith has secured his full playing privileges on the DP World Tour for the 2026 season after finishing tied for eighth at the 2025 DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage held at Infinitum Golf (Lakes & Hills Courses) in Tarragona, Spain.
The six-round marathon event — widely regarded as the toughest week in golf — concluded on Wednesday last week, with the top 20 players and ties earning their coveted tour cards.
Follett-Smith’s consistent play throughout the week ensured he comfortably finished within that bracket, confirming his return to the main European circuit.
The former Mississippi State University standout and two-time Challenge Tour winner, showed exceptional composure throughout the demanding week.
He opened with strong rounds of 66 and identical 67s on both the Lakes and Hills courses to stay inside the top 10, sharing the halfway lead at one stage with eventual runaway winner South Africa’s Zander Lombard.
Despite a few tense moments during the final round — including a double bogey on the ninth hole — the 30-year-old Zimbabwean regrouped impressively to card a solid closing round 72 and finish tied for eighth overall on 20-under par.
His result means he earns Category 18 status, granting him full playing rights on the DP World Tour next season.
A two-time winner on the HotelPlanner Tour – Follett-Smith hoping to make a quick adjustment when the 2026 Race to Dubai begins after coming through two stages of qualifying.
Last season, he prioritised events on both the DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour that were co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour, before struggling for form as the Tour arrived in Europe.
Follett-Smith’s success marks another major milestone for Zimbabwean golf, as he remains one of only a handful of players from the country to hold a full DP World Tour card in recent years.
His achievement follows in the footsteps of legends like Nick Price and Tony Johnstone, keeping Zimbabwe’s flag flying high in international golf.
With a full season ahead in 2026, Follett-Smith will have the opportunity to compete in premier DP World Tour events across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa — a platform that also opens doors to Official World Golf Ranking points and potential major championship qualification.
Final stage qualifiers
Zander Lombard (RSA), Connor McKinney (AUS), Shubhankar Sharma (IND), Aaron Cockerill (CAN), Daniel Rodrigues (POR), Nathan Kimsey (ENG), Quentin Debove (FRA), Davis Bryant (USA), Benjamin Follett-Smith (ZIM), Matthew Baldwin (ENG), Gregorio de Leo (ITA), Andreas Halvorsen (NOR), Adri Arnaus (ESP), Eddie Pepperell (ENG), Jack Yule (ENG), Andres German Gallegos (ARG), Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA), Frederico Biondi Figueiredo (BRA), Hunter Logan (USA), Mike Toorop (NED)
