Who to follow in this year’s bumper field, including the marquee pros, highest-ranked amateurs and must-see All-Abilities participants
CAMERON SMITH
AGE: 30
FROM: Brisbane, Queensland
TOUR: LIV Golf
WORLD RANKING: 19
2023 FORM
Wins: 2
Top 10s: 8
Top 25s: 11
Cuts made: 17/18 (13 LIV Golf events had no cut)
HIS STORY: Carried on from a spectacular 2022 season that included a maiden Major victory at The Open in St Andrews, a third Australian PGA, plus a LIV Golf and two PGA Tour titles. The 2023 encore included LIV Golf victories in London and Bedminster, New Jersey, as well as personal-best finishes at two Majors: T-9 at the PGA and fourth at the US Open.
MINJEE LEE
AGE: 27
FROM: Perth, Western Australia
TOUR: LPGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 6
2023 FORM
Wins: 2
Top 10s: 5
Top 25s: 13
Cuts made: 17/17
HER STORY: The highest-ranked player in this year’s Women’s Australian Open will be eager to complete the national trifecta alongside her Australian Girls’ and Australian Women’s Amateur titles. Fresh off a barnstorming finish to the year, she joined the illustrious company of Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb as the only Australians to win 10 LPGA titles. The two-time Major champion won the Kroger Queen City Championship and BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
ADAM SCOTT
AGE: 43
FROM: Adelaide, South Australia
TOUR: PGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 45
2023 FORM
Wins: 0
Top 10s: 5
Top 25s: 7
Cuts made: 17/21
HIS STORY: Struggled to hit peak form this year but the 2022 Australian Open runner-up put together a solid season highlighted by consistency more than potency. Three top-10 results came under pressure: at the elevated Wells Fargo and Memorial events, as well as the Wyndham where he was trying to keep his PGA Tour season alive.
ASHLEIGH BUHAI
AGE: 34
FROM: Johannesburg, South Africa
TOUR: LPGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 21
2023 FORM
Wins: 2
Top 10s: 7
Top 25s: 12
Cuts made: 16/22
HER STORY: Enjoyed a stellar amateur career as a teenager but struggled initially in the pro ranks before breaking through for a major at the 2022 AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield. Capped a wonderful year by adding the 2022 Women’s Australian Open at Victoria and Kingston Heath. Continued that blistering form by winning this year’s South African Women’s Open and Shoprite LPGA Classic.
MIN WOO LEE
AGE: 25
FROM: Perth, Western Australia
TOUR: DP World Tour/PGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 44
2023 FORM
Wins: 1
Top 10s: 7
Top 25s: 11
Cuts made: 17/21
HIS STORY: Developed into a social media juggernaut in 2023 with the slogan, “Let him cook.” Captured attention for his powerful ball-striking prowess and sautéed that into top-six results at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass and US Open where he earned a maiden top-five at the majors. Also secured his PGA Tour card for 2024 before winning his third pro title at the Macau Open.
JIYAI SHIN
AGE: 35
FROM: Jeonggwang, South Korea
TOUR: JLPGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 15
2023 FORM
Wins: 3
Top 10s: 17
Top 25s: 18
Cuts made: 20/23
HER STORY: The 2013 Women’s Australian Open champion finished one stroke shy of a playoff for last year’s title. The super-consistent Korean won the 2023 Vic Open and two titles on this season’s JLPGA Tour. In a decorated career Shin has won 64 titles on six tours and two major titles at the Women’s British Open (2008, 2012).
CAMERON DAVIS
AGE: 28
FROM: Sydney, New South Wales
TOUR: PGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 42
2023 FORM
Wins: 0
Top 10s: 8
Top 25s: 11
Cuts made: 15/25
HIS STORY: Returns to the scene of his 2017 Australian Open triumph fuelled by the confidence from making his International team debut at last year’s Presidents Cup. The Seattle-based pro was consistent in 2023, earning a major breakthrough with a tie for fourth at the PGA. Also contended at the Players Championship and Fortinet event in California where he finished third.
HANNAH GREEN
AGE: 26
FROM: Perth, Western Australia
TOUR: LPGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 24
2023 FORM
Wins: 1
Top 10s: 3
Top 25s: 7
Cuts made: 12/18
HER STORY: Rookie of the Year on the 2017 Symetra Tour when she finished second on the moneylist to earn an LPGA card. Became the first Australian to win a women’s major since Karrie Webb when she claimed the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA. Finished fifth in the women’s tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Claimed her third LPGA title at this year’s JM Eagle LA Championship.
LUCAS HERBERT
AGE: 27
FROM: Bendigo, Victoria
TOUR: PGA Tour/DP World Tour
WORLD RANKING: 65
2023 FORM
Wins: 1
Top 10s: 4
Top 25s: 5
Cuts made: 12/19
HIS STORY: Displayed plenty of ability on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour despite lacking the consistency of a three-time DP World Tour and one-time PGA Tour winner. A third career win on the European circuit came at a new event in Japan in April, while two other top 10s on the DP World Tour were among his highlights. Turned heads by progressing to the round of 16 at the elite World Golf Championships Match Play in Texas.
GRACE KIM
AGE: 22
FROM: Sydney, New South Wales
TOUR: LPGA Tour
WORLD RANKING: 73
2023 FORM
Wins: 1
Top 10s: 5
Top 25s: 10
Cuts made: 16/22
HER STORY: Impressive amateur career with victories in the 2017 Australian Girls’, 2018 Summer Youth Olympics and 2021 Australian Women’s Amateur. Also led the women’s field at the 2021 Webex Players Series Sydney mixed event as an amateur and repeated the feat as a pro. Finished fourth at last year’s Women’s Australian Open. Burst onto the LPGA scene this season by winning in her third start at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii.
ADRIAN MERONK
AGE: 30
FROM: Pniewy, Poland
TOUR: DP World Tour
WORLD RANKING: 46
2023 FORM
Wins: 2
Top 10s: 6
Top 25s: 13
Cuts made: 17/24
HIS STORY: Registered three DP World Tour victories this season dating back to last year’s Australian Open in Melbourne. The Stonehaven Cup kicked off a run that saw him also win the Italian Open at the Ryder Cup host course in Rome. Narrowly missed qualifying for Europe’s Ryder Cup team and was overlooked for a captain’s pick. Responded by claiming victory at the Andalucia Masters in Spain for his fourth title in little more than a year. By the time he arrives in Sydney, the Pole might have more DP World Tour wins.
STEPH KYRIACOU
AGE: 22
FROM: Sydney, New South Wales
TOUR: LPGA Tour/LET
WORLD RANKING: 97
2023 FORM
Wins: 0
Top 10s: 4
Top 25s: 7
Cuts made: 18/22
HER STORY: Won the 2020 Australian Ladies Classic Bonville by eight strokes as an amateur to acquire a two-year exemption on the Ladies European Tour. Added a second LET title at the 2021 Dutch Ladies Open. Registered top-10 major finishes at the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA and AIG Women’s Open. Began this year with a tie for second at the Webex Players Series Victoria mixed event.
AARON BADDELEY
AGE: 42
FROM: Melbourne, Victoria
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Two-time Australian Open champion and four-time PGA Tour winner is considered one of the best putters of all time. Made his 500th appearance on the PGA Tour this year, surpassing $US23.4 million in career earnings.
SARAH KEMP
AGE: 37
FROM: Tuncurry, New South Wales
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Enjoyed her best LPGA Tour season with three-top 10 results and contributed to the Australian team that was runner-up at the International Crown.
AGE: 27
FROM: Oban, Scotland
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Two-time DP World Tour winner who this year pushed Rory McIlroy all the way in a gallant runner-up performance at his national open and made a sparkling Ryder Cup debut by winning two matches.
SARAH JANE SMITH
AGE: 39
FROM: Geelong, Victoria
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Reignited career with a five-stroke victory at Webex Players Series Murray River and achieved top-five results at the Webex Players Series Victoria and Sydney mixed events that use scaled tees.
ALL ABILITIES PLAYER PROFILES
KIPP POPERT
AGE: 25
FROM: Kent, England
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Defending champion who claimed the third staging of the Australian All Abilities Championship with a three-under 69 to win by three strokes at Victoria Golf Club. The world No.1 has triumphed over a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegia that affects his lower legs. Popert is a three-time G4D Tour winner in 2023.
LACHLAN WOOD
AGE: 31
FROM: Pialba, Queensland
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Had attained a handicap of 3 as a teenager when seriously injured in a car accident that shattered his leg into 44 pieces and required 33 operations. Now Australia’s No.1-ranked disabled golfer and a third-year PGA associate (trainee) at Hervey Bay Golf Club. Won this year’s New Zealand All Abilities, Victorian Inclusive, Webex Player Series Hunter Valley All Abilities, Queensland Inclusive and West Australian All Abilities titles.
CAMERON POLLARD
AGE: 24
FROM: Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Claimed a third consecutive NSW Inclusive Championship this year. Has managed autism and Eblers Danlos Syndrome, a disorder that effects connective tissues (skin, joints and blood vessel walls).
BRENDAN LAWLOR
AGE: 26
FROM: Dundalk, Ireland
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Suffers from a rare condition known as Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome, characterised by a short stature and limbs. Runner-up at the inaugural Australian All Abilities Championship in 2018. Was the first disabled golfer to compete on the DP World Tour in 2020. This year won the inaugural G4D Open with a wire-to-wire victory at Woburn.
JUAN POSTIGO ARCE
AGE: 27
FROM: Santander, Spain
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Began playing golf at the age of 12 after being born without a knee and much of his right leg. A two-time G4D Tour winner this year at the Hero Cup and Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed.
ROOKIE WATCH
JEFFREY GUAN
AGE: 19
FROM: Sydney, New South Wales
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Outstanding junior and amateur career highlighted by triumphs at the Junior Players at TPC Sawgrass, Adam Scott Junior Championship and Australian Boys’ Amateur while he represented the Internationals at the Junior Presidents Cup.
KAZUMA KOBORI
AGE: 22
FROM: Christchurch, New Zealand
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The son of a professional dirt biker enjoyed a phenomenal year by winning the Australian Amateur, Western Amateur in Chicago, topping the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia qualifying school and claiming individual honours at the World Amateur Teams Championship in Abu Dhabi.
JACK BUCHANAN
AGE: 19
FROM: Adelaide, South Australia
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: His late birdie blitz guided Australia to a silver medal at this year’s World Amateur Teams Championship. The 2022 Order Of Merit national champion turned to the professional ranks after individual runner-up finishes at the South Australian and Pacific Coast Amateur tournaments.
KIRSTEN RUDGELEY
AGE: 21
FROM: Perth, Western Australia
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Proven winner on the international stage, having won the England Women’s Amateur and Scottish Women’s Amateur Stroke Play as well as the inaugural Athena tournament. Subsequently turned pro and finished fourth at this year’s Irish Open in first full season on the Ladies European Tour.
AMATEUR WATCH
JASPER STUBBS
AGE: 21
FROM: Melbourne, Victoria
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Earned invitations to next year’s Masters and Open Championship when he became Australia’s fourth winner of the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne in late October.
JUSTICE BOSIO
AGE: 19
FROM: Caboolture, Queensland
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Two-time Australian Women’s Amateur runner-up enters the national championship in top form having won the South Australian Women’s Amateur and successfully defending the Keppera Bowl.
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