Cameron John’s top-30 finish in his major championship debut has lit the fuse in fellow Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winner Ben Eccles to play his way into next year’s Open Championship at St Andrews.
As Kiwi Ryan Fox spoke glowingly about the role the PGA Tour of Australasia played in his formative years as a professional while cradling the Claret Jug on Sunday evening, John’s four days at Royal Birkdale were just as noteworthy for his peers back home.
A three-time winner on his home circuit last season, John entered the final round on Sunday in a tie for 11th.
Just four Australians – Joe Kirkwood Snr, Norman Von Nida, Peter Thomson and Ian Baker-Finch – have ever finished inside the top 10 in their debut appearance at The Open. While John was unable to add his name to that illustrious list, his tie for 28th emphasised the PGA Tour of Australasia as a proving ground.
Having missed out at Final Qualifying during his three-year stint in Europe from 2017-2019, Eccles will use John’s performance as motivation to do everything he can to tee it up at St Andrews for the 2027 Open Championship.
“That’s inspiring for all of us Aussie Tour players,” Eccles said on this week’s Tee It Up podcast.
“We often talk about the level that we have down here, that it’s really under-rated and we don’t get as many opportunities as most.
“Cam’s a real testament to our Tour. I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s a good bloke. He’s good to play with and his game stacks up against the best.
“The Open is The Open. It’s the pinnacle of our game and I want to play it.
“The way Cam’s played this week has inspired me to sort of look at the qualification process for next year.
“I want to be playing at St Andrews next year, for sure.”
Eccles’ most recent win on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia came in Kalgoorlie at the 2023 CKB WA PGA Championship, a season in which he finished eighth on the Order of Merit.
John’s three-win season last season saw him finish second to Travis Smyth on the Order of Merit, Eccles impressed by the way in which his fellow Victorian handled the pressures of an Open Championship.
“I actually did say that the occasion might get to him because it’s The Open Championship. In my eyes, it’s the biggest, and I couldn’t be happy that I’m wrong,” said Eccles.
“I’m sure he feels a little bit disappointed that he didn’t have a better Sunday, but he sort of didn’t really have anything to lose.
“It was going to be a win-win no matter what he did. And I think he’s shown everyone, especially down here, just how good he actually is.”
Eccles will start his 2026/2027 back in Kalgoorlie where he won three years ago with eyes ahead to the BMW Australian PGA Championship and Capital.com Australian Open.
There are direct pathways to The Open Championship for the winner of the Capital.com Australian Open, the New Zealand Open and the Order of Merit, Eccles eager to make the most of either of those opportunities.
“Personally, (The Open) would be the favourite one to win and I think it’s probably the one that is easier to qualify for,” he added.
“There’s opportunity to qualify. We have three chances here in Australia. Anyone can qualify.”
The 2026/2027 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia begins next month with the PNG Open at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club (August 27-30).
