[Photo: Golf Australia]
The field may be the smallest of the season, but the stakes have never been higher at The National Tournament 2026.
After Travis Smyth secured the 2025/2026 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in the penultimate event, all eyes turn to the race for two tickets to the HotelPlanner Tour in Europe
Key Contenders
Two-time winner this season and 2024 champion of this event, Cameron John, returns to The National Golf Club in second position with 772 points. Hot on his heels is Mornington Peninsula’s own James Marchesani, just 70 points behind, holding a 63-point buffer over friend and Webex Players Series Murray River champion Haydn Barron
The race is tight further down the leaderboard with less than 13 points separating fourth-placed Barron and seventh-placed Jay Mackenzie. Heritage Classic winner Will Florimo is also in the mix for a top-three finish, ensuring a thrilling weekend of golf
Rookie of the Year Battle
Sydney’s Declan O’Donovan, fresh off his maiden professional title at the Webex Players Series Sydney, is in strong contention for Rookie of the Year. Q School graduate Jimmy Zheng could snatch the title with a win this week
The High-Stakes Bubble
Perhaps the most compelling storyline lies lower down the Order of Merit. Players finishing inside the top 50 at season’s end secure entry into almost every event on the 2026/2027 schedule. With only one player from No.45 Ben Eccles to No.59 Tim Hart absent from the field, there’s a tight 13-player bubble where every shot counts. A strong finish here could set up their next season in style
Tournament Details
- Location: The National Golf Club, Gunnamatta Course
- Prize Money: $200,000
- TV Coverage: Live on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo Sports – Saturday 3 pm to 6 pm AEDT, Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm AEDT
Players to Watch
- Cameron John – Three-time Challenger PGA Tour winner
- James Marchesani – Third on Order of Merit
- Haydn Barron – Webex Players Series Murray River champion
- Will Florimo – Heritage Classic champion
Stat Pack Highlights
- Past Champions:
- 2022 Derek Ackerman, Ocean Course
- 2023 Tom Power Horan, Moonah Course
- 2024 Cameron John, Moonah Course
- 2025 Harrison Crowe, Gunnamatta Course
- Largest Winning Margin: 3, Cameron John, 2024
- Low Tournament Round: 63, Elvis Smylie R2 2023, Declan O’Donovan R1 2025, Quinn Croker R3 2025
- Most Eagles in a Tournament: 4, Jediah Morgan 2025
- Most Birdies in a Tournament: 26, Corey Lamb 2025
- Most Birdies in a Round: 10, Braden Becker R1 2022
- Total Birdies in a Tournament: 59, David Micheluzzi
