The 2002 European Tour was the 31st season of golf tournaments since the European Tour officially began in 1972. The season was made up of 44 tournaments counting towards the Order of Merit, which included the four major championships and three World Golf Championships, and several non-counting "Approved Special Events" including the Ryder Cup which had been postponed from 2001. The Order of Merit was won by Retief Goosen, defending the title he won in 2001.