While most fans only see the trophies and tee-times, the real work of restoring Australian golf’s professional heartbeat has happened quietly, behind the scenes. The PGA Tour of Australasia’s Nick Dastey and Kim Felton share how a six-year masterplan is bearing fruit, and why the best is yet to come.
Among the latest starters are Denmark’s Rasmus Neergard-Petersen, Korea’s Jungwhan Lee, Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa, English trio Alex Fitzpatrick, Eddie Pepperell and Andrew “Beef” Johnston, Italy’s Renato Paratore, Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and China’s Wenyi Ding.
The 2026 tournament will be played from January 15-18, giving school holidaymakers the chance to watch Australia’s best players in action, and will be part of both the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.
One of the breakout stars of world golf in 2025, England’s Marco Penge, will tee it up in the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 27-30.
Matias Sanchez has won his maiden Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia title, with the Victorian taking out this year’s Webex Players Series South Australia at Willunga.
A winner of 20 professional events worldwide, including two on the PGA Tour and seven on LIV Golf, Niemann will be looking to complete the Australian majors double after claiming the Australian Open in 2023.
The presence of Marc Leishman adds extra star power to this year’s WA Open field, although it may just be the golf course at Mount Lawley that is this week’s biggest star.
Back in Western Australia for the first time in 20 years, Marc Leishman is not only trying to win the Nexus Advisernet Bowra & O’Dea WA Open at Mount Lawley Golf Club this week. The Victorian thinks playing in “Sandbelt-like” conditions at the Perth club, which is showcasing its recent course restoration, is ideal preparation Read more…
Jeff Guan’s remarkable comeback from being struck by a golf ball and losing sight in his right eye took another step on Friday at Kalgoorlie Golf Course, with the New South Welshman making it through to the weekend of the CKB WA PGA Championship.
Former champion Joaquin Niemann heads a list of four internationally acclaimed players who have been confirmed as starters in the men’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne Golf Club from December 4-7.
The 24-year-old has accepted an invitation to compete in the 101st WA Open and is assured of strong support at the club where she came through the ranks as a junior on her way to becoming Australia’s No.1-ranked amateur.
Australian Golf Digest
