Editing Challenge Tour (section)

==Satellite tours==
One competitive level down from the Challenge Tour are five third-level developmental tours, the [[Alps Tour]], the [[Pro Golf Tour]], the [[PGA EuroPro Tour]] (ceased in 2022;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://europrotour.com/europro-tour-news/pga-europro-tour-final-season/ |title=PGA EuroPro Tour Final Season |publisher=PGA EuroPro Tour |date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208003852/https://europrotour.com/europro-tour-news/pga-europro-tour-final-season/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=4 May 2023}}</ref> replaced by the [[Clutch Pro Tour]] and the [[Tartan Pro Tour]]) and the [[Nordic Golf League]], each of which is based in a different part of Europe. These circuits are known as the satellite tours. The top players not otherwise exempt (five each from the Alps, Pro Golf, and Nordic Golf League, three from the Clutch Tour, two from the Tartan Pro Tour) from the Order of Merit of each of these tours earn status on the Challenge Tour for the following season. The Challenge Tour also offers status to players competing in the [[European Tour Qualifying School]], giving privileges to those who make the 72-hole cut at the final stage but fail to place in the top 20.

In December 2022, it was announced that the Clutch Pro Tour and the Tartan Pro Tour would become official feeder tours to the Challenge Tour; in place of the now defunct PGA EuroPro Tour. The Tartan Pro Tour would offer Challenge Tour status to the leading player on the Order of Merit, whereas the Clutch Pro Tour would offer Challenge Tour status to the top two players on the Order of Merit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Farmfoods Tartan Pro Tour to become Official Feeder Tour to the Challenge Tour |url=https://www.europeantour.com/challenge-tour/news/articles/detail/farmfoods-tartan-pro-tour-to-become-official-feeder-tour-to-the-challenge-tour/ |date=20 December 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022 |publisher=European Tour}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Clutch Pro Tour to become Official Feeder Tour to the Challenge Tour |url=https://www.europeantour.com/challenge-tour/news/articles/detail/clutch-pro-tour-to-become-official-feeder-tour-to-the-challenge-tour/ |date=21 December 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022 |publisher=European Tour}}</ref> In 2024, with inclusion into the OWGR, the Clutch Pro Tour increased the number of Challenge Tour cards to three, with the Tartan Pro Tour increasing the number of cards to two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/golf/paul-lawrie-delighted-to-see-tartan-pro-tour-offer-two-challenge-tour-cards-in-2024-4443579 |title=Paul Lawrie delighted to see Tartan Pro Tour offer two Challenge Tour cards in 2024 |newspaper=The Scotsman |first=Martin |last=Dempster |date=13 December 2023 |access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref> In 2024, the [[China Tour]] offered a Challenge Tour card to the player second in the rankings.

One can also earn immediate access to the Challenge Tour for a three-win season on The Tartan Tour, Alps Tour, Pro Golf Tour, and Nordic Golf League.