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.
The 2006 US Open champion’s homecoming will begin at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes Golf Club from November 26-29, before he heads south to Melbourne for the Capital.com Australian Open at Kingston Heath from December 3-6.
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It will mark a special return to The Lakes for Ogilvy, who produced one of the finest weeks of his career at the Sydney course to win the Australian Open in 2010.
Ogilvy claimed the Stonehaven Cup by four strokes that year, shooting 19-under-par to join some of the game’s greats as an Australian Open champion.
The BMW Australian PGA Championship also holds a special place in Ogilvy’s career, with the Victorian claiming the Joe Kirkwood Cup at Coolum in 2008 for his first professional victory on Australian soil.
Ogilvy said returning to Australia to play in the country’s major championships remained something he was passionate about.
“Coming home to play the Australian summer has always been something I’ve loved, and to be able to return for both the BMW Australian PGA and Capital.com Australian Open shapes up to be a great two weeks,” Ogilvy said.
“These are two tournaments that mean a great deal to Australian players and they certainly mean a lot to me.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to win both events, so there are some great memories attached to them.
“To come back and play The Lakes again will be really special. Winning the Australian Open there in 2010 is one of my favourite memories in Australia and I’m looking forward to seeing the course again in a tournament setting.
“Then to head down to Melbourne and play another Australian Open on the Sandbelt is something I’m really looking forward to as well.
“Growing up in Melbourne, the Sandbelt courses were always a huge part of my golfing life.
“There’s a particular style of golf required around the Sandbelt that I’ve always enjoyed, and I think having an Australian Open at Kingston Heath will make for a fantastic week.”
Ogilvy will arrive in Australia after leading the International Team at the Presidents Cup, adding another chapter to a career that has seen him play in multiple Presidents Cups as a player before taking on one of international golf’s most prestigious leadership roles.
PGA of Australia chief executive officer Gavin Kirkman said Ogilvy’s return would be a major boost for the BMW Australian PGA Championship.
“Geoff Ogilvy is one of the most respected and accomplished Australian golfers of his generation, so we’re delighted to welcome him back for this year’s BMW Australian PGA Championship,” Kirkman said.
“His career speaks for itself, from winning the US Open and multiple World Golf Championships to his two victories in Australia’s major championships.
“There is a wonderful connection in seeing him return this year to The Lakes, where he won the Australian Open in 2010.
“He will arrive home after the enormous responsibility of captaining the International Team at the Presidents Cup, and we know golf fans will be excited to see one of Australia’s great players back competing on home soil.”
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Golf Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said Ogilvy’s return to Melbourne for the Capital.com Australian Open would be particularly special.
“Geoff is one of the great products of Australian golf and the Melbourne Sandbelt, and we’re thrilled that he will return to play the Capital.com Australian Open at Kingston Heath,” Sutherland said.
“His connection to the Sandbelt is a big part of his story, and it will be fantastic to see him competing for the Stonehaven Cup on a course and in an environment that helped shape him as a young golfer.
“To have a player of his stature returning home after leading the International Team at the Presidents Cup is a tremendous result for the Australian Open and for golf fans.”
