A Historic Return of the Australian PGA Championship to New South Wales
After a 29-year absence, the Australian PGA Championship is set to make a triumphant return to New South Wales this November. The event, which has been held at Royal Queensland in Brisbane since 2022, will now take place at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney’s inner-west. This marks the fourth time the course has hosted the tournament and the first since 1987.
New South Wales last saw the championship in 1998 when English golfer David Howell dominated the field at the New South Wales Golf Club, securing a seven-shot victory. The move to The Lakes is a significant step for the state, as it brings the prestigious event back to its roots.
The Lakes Golf Club has a storied history in Australian golf, having hosted the Australian Open on seven occasions. It also co-hosted the 2023 edition of the tournament alongside The Australian. The venue has been a stage for some of the sport’s greatest players, including legends like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.
Royal Queensland, which has been chosen as the host venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, will undergo renovations and improvements over the coming years. This development has prompted the need for a new home for the PGA Championship.
Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, expressed his excitement about the return to New South Wales. “The city is synonymous with world-class sporting events, and we are thrilled that we are able to return to The Lakes Golf Club,” he said in a statement. He added that the venue has a rich history of hosting Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia events, ensuring a warm welcome for the tournament in November.
The event will be co-sanctioned by the European PGA Tour and will serve as the opening event of the 2026–2027 season. This season will be highlighted by the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland. Organisers hope that the presence of the Ryder Cup will attract top European players, who will be competing for points to qualify for the team.
According to reports, PGA of Australia officials have had “promising” discussions with player agents of several top-50 players at The Masters last weekend. Bryson DeChambeau is reportedly high on their list of potential participants. DeChambeau has already played in Australia once this year during LIV Golf’s visit to Adelaide in February.
Rory McIlroy, the two-time Masters champion, is also expected to participate. He is part of a two-year deal to play in the Australian Open, which will be held the following weekend at Kingston Heath. Kirkman described the recent Masters as the most promising he has attended, noting that many top-50 players are showing interest in Australia.
- The PGA of Australia is working on the economic aspects of the event but is taking a measured approach to ensure decisions are well-informed.
- The usual lineup of Australian talent, including Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, and Min Woo Lee, is expected to compete.
Steve Kamper, NSW Minister for Sport, called the securing of the event a “fantastic coup for our local golf-loving community.” The Australian PGA Championship will take place from November 26 to 29, marking a significant milestone for golf in New South Wales.
