The Women’s Australian Open will make a triumphant return to the schedule as a stand-alone national championship with a home base in Adelaide and Ladies European Tour (LET) co-sanctioning.
After sharing the limelight with the men in a mixed format from 2022 to 2024, the prestigious event will revert to its own stage and move from a December window to a March date.
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Golf Australia and WPGA officials joined the South Australian Government in announcing on Friday that the Women’s Australian Open would be held in Adelaide for the next three years, beginning with Kooyonga Golf Club hosting the 2026 edition from March 12–15.
Kooyonga, ranked 18th in Australian Golf Digest‘s most recent Top 100 Courses, will be a fantastic and interesting venue given its sandy terrain and thoughtful design. It will be a throwback to when nearby Royal Adelaide Golf Club hosted the Women’s Australian Open in the event’s golden era.
But the LET co-sanctioning and the move to March are the big winners given the Women’s Australian Open will fit far more seamlessly into the women’s global golf schedule, unlike when the event was held in December alongside the men.
Last year, that forced several stars to dash from the LPGA Tour finale in the US to Melbourne, Australia which meant a Wednesday arrival and no practice rounds.
While the 2026 LPGA Tour schedule has not yet been finalised, the circuit typically plays co-sanctioned events in Asia in February and March, meaning there would be greater opportunities for international players to tee up in Australia in addition to homegrown stars like recently-crowned KPMG Women’s PGA champion Minjee Lee and Hannah Green among others.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said the commitment from the South Australian Government will help elevate what has always been considered the premier women’s golf event in the region, with many famous names on its honour roll.
“We are extremely excited by this partnership with the South Australian Government, who are showing a clear commitment to women’s golf in Australia,” Sutherland said.
“Securing the state of South Australia as the host of this historic and highly regarded event for the next three years is a significant win for players and fans, who will no doubt be treated to a terrific event.
“Kooyonga will provide the perfect stage to showcase the incredible talent set to feature in the field, including our top players who compete overseas on the game’s biggest stage, the rising local talent from the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the international contingent from the Ladies European Tour.”
Today’s news follows last month’s announcement that Rory McIlroy will headline the men’s Australian Open in December, with both events set to prosper as standalone fixtures in the Australian sporting calendar.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “South Australia is ready to take the women’s Australian Open to new heights.
“Securing this championship for at least the next three years will drive global attention, deliver world-class fan and player experiences and encourage more people, especially girls and women, to enjoy a health pursuit.
“This is a hugely exciting time for our state, which is already seeing the massive benefits of hosting major sporting events like LIV Golf Adelaide and their power to share South Australia on the global stage.
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“We are investing in North Adelaide Golf Course as the new host venue for LIV Golf Adelaide and the women’s Australian, along with other major tournaments.”
Karen Lunn, CEO of the WPGA of Australia, said a standalone women’s Australian Open provides the perfect platform to showcase women’s golf during a time when tournaments played in Australia will receive global attention.
“Adelaide has a proven track record in hosting headline events, including previous Australian Opens, and we look forward to showcasing all it has to offer which includes some of Australia’s finest golf courses. We are grateful to the South Australian Government for providing us with a platform that allows us to showcase our best Australian players with those from across the globe,” Lunn said.
“The current number of Aussie players teeing it up, and contending, on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour each week continues to show that we punch above our weight on the international stage and that women’s golf has arguably never been stronger in Australia.
“I am certain our players will be determined to break the Aussie drought in 2026 and lift the Patricia Bridges Bowl.”
Tickets for the women’s Australian Open, including a special early bird offer on season passes, are now on sale at Ticketek.com.au