Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia have partnered with the R&A to bring its “Just Swing” global participation initiative to Australia, with a locally developed campaign of ambassadors, club education and beginner resources to change outdated perceptions and welcome more people into the game.
Niemann will be joined by fellow Torque GC teammates Carlos Ortiz and Sebastián Muñoz for the championship at Kingston Heath Golf Club from December 3-6.
Social Golf Australia managing director Matthew Pitt said Golf Australia’s new service was a “carbon copy” of existing virtual club offerings and represented a breakdown in the relationship between the two organisations.
Lucas Herbert will bring one of the hottest games in world golf to Sydney and Melbourne this November and December after confirming he will contest the BMW Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes Golf Club and the Capital.com Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club.
Smylie will make his return from a rib injury in this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in London, but with the two big home tournaments on his mind.
Australian golf great Geoff Ogilvy will return home to play in both Australian major men’s tournaments this summer, following the completion of his commitments as captain of the International Team at the Presidents Cup.
This is the first time the PGA Tour has formally partnered with Golf Australia, with the agreement set to ensure the men’s Australian Open will receive a significant boost in prizemoney from 2027, a distinct window in the global golf calendar and optimise the opportunity to attract the world’s best players.
The agreement represents one of the largest commercial partnerships in Australian golf history, connecting Capital.com with both the country’s premier championship, the club members and GA Handicap holders that underpin the game.
Australia’s golf industry has unveiled BIG SWINGS 2026–2030, a new national strategy designed to grow and modernise the game. With more than four million Australians now playing golf in some form, the plan focuses on inclusion, flexible participation and connecting more people to the sport through both traditional and off-course formats.
Golf Australia has today taken another important step in securing the long-term future of the Australian Opens, partnering with the South Australian Government to secure the redeveloped North Adelaide Golf Course as a long-term host of the national championships.
Australian Golf Digest
