The 2026/2027 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season hits the Australian mainland and, for the 15th straight year, arrives in Kalgoorlie for the CKB WA PGA Championship presented by TX Civil and Logistics.
The distinctive red dirt of the Aussie outback provides a visually spectacular backdrop to a championship that dates back to 1933 and has been won by such illustrious figures in Australian golf as Kel Nagle, Graham Marsh, Terry Gale, Peter Senior and Greg Chalmers.
Young stars on the ascension have dominated the WA PGA in recent years with the likes of David Micheluzzi (2022), Jack Buchanan (2024) and Austin Bautista (2025) using a Kalgoorlie victory as a launchpad to international playing opportunities.
There is a distinctly international look to the field for the 2026 championship with 11 players from New Zealand, six from the United States and Canadian Thomas Giroux, winner of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia US Q School in July.
Of the six Americans teeing it up in Kalgoorlie, four earned status at Q School three months ago in Georgia while Chris Malec and Patrick Healy return for a second season Down Under having come through the same pathway.
Five Australians – Buchanan, Ryan Peake, Declan O’Donovan, Matias Sanchez and James Marchesani – will leave their arrival into Kalgoorlie until the last minute, making the mad dash from Scotland having played the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Former winners in Kalgoorlie who return seeking a second triumph are Buchanan, Ben Eccles (2023), Jarryd Felton (2020), Michael Long (2018), Dimi Papadatos (2017), Brett Rumford (2015) and Peter Wilson (2012).
Adding to the fanfare of the WA PGA Championship at Kalgoorlie each year is the TX Civil & Logistics Road to the Outback Challenge, where leading amateurs partner with the professionals who make the cut in a competitive inside-the-ropes experience.
Played across the final two rounds, the Road to the Outback Challenge has fast become a highlight for amateur participants and pros alike.
The final two rounds of the CKB WA PGA Championship will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports from 4pm-7pm AEDT Saturday and 2pm-7pm AEDT Sunday.
CKB WA PGA Championship presented by TX Civil and Logistics
Kalgoorlie Golf Course, Kalgoorlie, WA
Prizemoney: $250,000
Live scores: GOLF.com.au
TV times: Live 4pm-7pm AEDT Saturday; Live 2pm-7pm AEDT Sunday.
Instagram: @pgatouraus
Facebook: @PGATourAus
X: @PGATAustralasia
Hashtags: #WAPGA, #TheChaseIsOn
Recent champions
2025 Austin Bautista
2024 Jack Buchanan
2023 Ben Eccles
2022 David Micheluzzi
2021 Jay Mackenzie
2020 Jarryd Felton
2019 Darren Beck
2018 Michael Long
2017 Dimitrios Papadatos
2016 Stephen Dartnall
2015 Brett Rumford
2014 Ryan Lynch
2013 Jack Wilson
2012 Peter Wilson
Key stats (since 2012)
Highest Winning Margin
5, Ben Eccles 2023
Most Top-10 Finishes
8, Jarryd Felton
Low 72-Hole Score
265, Ben Eccles 2023
Tournament Low Round
63, Cameron John 2022 (Round 3); Ben Eccles 2023 (Round 2)
Most Eagles in a Round
3, Elvis Smylie 2024 (R1)
Most Birdies in a Tournament
27, Austin Bautista 2025
Most Birdies in a Round
10, Michael Long 2018 (R4)
Consecutive Birdies in a Round
7, Jake McLeod 2016 (R3, H: 18-6)
Holes-in-One
Jak Carter, Darren Beck, Brett Rankin, Jarryd Felton
Players to watch
Josh Armstrong – PNG Open champion
Declan O’Donovan – Reigning Players Series Sydney champion and 2025/2026 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Rookie of the Year
Ryan Peake – 2025 NZ Open champion
Thomas Giroux – Canadian winner of 2026 US Q School, making Tour debut
Jordan Doull – Two-time Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winner
Daniel Gale – Three-time Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winner
Hayden Hopewell – 2026 Q School Final Stage winner
