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A host of Aussie greats will seek to extend their country’s recent dominance when Final Stage of the PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament tees off in Arizona on Tuesday.
A 15-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour with more than ¥1 billion in total prize money, Brendan Jones turns 50 next March but is hoping to join the growing band of Aussies plying their trade on the over-50s tour in the US.
Twelve months ago, medallist Cameron Percy, Steve Allan, David Bransdon and Michael Wright took four of the five spots on offer while Victorian Richard Green was medallist in 2022 to secure his status.
Joining Jones in trying to complete an Aussie hat-trick are Mathew Goggin, Brad Kennedy, Andre Stolz and Scott Barr.
A three-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, Goggin (pictured) has two top-five finishes on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia in the past 18 months and was runner-up at both the NSW Senior Open and Australian PGA Senior Championship in the past month. He made two starts on the Champions Tour in 2024 at the US Senior Open and Sanford International before taking medallist honours at First Stage of Q School two weeks ago.
A four-time PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit winner, Stolz won a second Australian PGA Senior at Richmond by five strokes and is making a return to Q School.
Kennedy’s three Japan Golf Tour wins and five PGA Tour of Australasia victories have all come after the age of 35 and is making his first Q School appearance after celebrating his 50th birthday in June.
A three-time winner on the PGA Legends Tour this season, 52-year-old Barr continues to make appearances on the PGA Tour of Australasia, finishing tied for 21st at the WA PGA Championship in Kalgoorlie in October.
As the seniors look ahead to 2025, West Australian Kirsten Rudgeley brought her Ladies European Tour season to an end in Spain.
Needing to finish top 10 on the Order of Merit to earn an exemption into Final Stage of LPGA Tour Q Series, Rudgeley had to settle for 12th after finishing tied for 37th at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana.
A tie for 37th was the best the Aussie contingent could muster also at the International Series Qatar, Justin Warren, Travis Smyth, Jed Morgan, Matt Jones and Zach Murray all coming in 15 strokes adrift of champion Peter Uihlein.
Photo: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
Round 1 tee times AEDT
PGA TOUR Champions
Qualifying Tournament-Final Stage
TPC Scottsdale (Champions Cse), Scottsdale, Arizona
2:41am* Dominic Barson (NZ)
3:03am Mathew Goggin
3:14am* Andre Stolz
3:36am Brad Kennedy
4:09am Brendan Jones
4:42am Scott Barr
2023 champion: Cameron Percy
Past Aussie winners: Peter Senior (2009), Richard Green (2022), Cameron Percy (2023)
Prize money: $200,000
Results
Asian Tour
International Series Qatar
Doha Golf Club, Qatar
1 Peter Uihlein 68-64-71-69—272 $US450,000
T13 Ben Campbell (NZ) 70-70-71-72—283 $33,916.67
T37 Justin Warren 71-71-74-71—287 $14,510.42
T37 Zach Murray 72-69-72-74—287 $14,510.42
T37 Jed Morgan 73-70-73-71—287 $14,510.42
T37 Travis Smyth 75-69-73-70—287 $14,510.42
T37 Matt Jones 74-70-73-70—287 $14,510.42
T49 Jack Thompson 68-73-72-75—288 $11,500
T49 Aaron Wilkin 70-74-75-69—288 $11,500
T52 Wade Ormsby 71-73-69-76—289 $9,900
T66 Maverick Antcliff 70-71-76-77—294 $6,500
MC Kevin Yuan 71-77—148
MC Scott Hend 72-76—148
MC Andrew Dodt 70-78—148
MC Marcus Fraser 74-76—150
Japan Golf Tour
Golf Nippon Series JT Cup
Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club, Tokyo
1 Shaun Norris 67-68-65-68—268
T25 Michael Hendry 70-71-72-72—285
Ladies European Tour
Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana
Real Club Guadalhorce Golf, Spain
1 Carlota Ciganda 67-66-66-71—270 €105,000
T37 Kirsten Rudgeley 74-69-73-70—286 €4,382
With his Australian Summer of Golf campaign over, Cam Smith has expressed his desire to repeat the visit back home again on the 2025/26 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
Smith’s run of four tournaments, which was hugely appreciated by everyone connected with Australian golf, started at the Queensland PGA at Nudgee, continued at the Ford NSW Open at Murray Downs and BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland and ended at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open at Kingston Heath.
Although a win proved to be elusive, with two runners-up finishes the best results, he did thrill the crowds with his golf, helping to build crowd figures, broadcast ratings and media coverage.
“I would love to,” Smith said today when asked if would repeat this year’s well received longer return to the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
“I think I’ve got to take that as it comes. As everyone knows now we’re expecting (a baby in March), so I think that’s going to have a big thing to do with it, which was really part of the reason why I wanted to do it this year.
“But we finish (LIV Golf) again in the middle of August, so there’s no reason that I can’t play at least one or two more again.
“I’ve loved doing it … so whether it’s the same two (Tour events) or a different two, I don’t really know, but yeah, I would love to do it again.”
Smith signed off with a birdie at the last of his 288 holes for the Australian summer, posting a round of 71 at Kingston Heath for an Open tally of -3 and a tie for 41st, well short of his goal to win the Stonehaven Cup for the first time.
After an opening round of 65 at Victoria Golf Club, he had moved to 11-under midway through his second round before a back nine of +5 put a severe dent in his chances.
“I guess that back nine on Friday really just kind of hurt and it was kind of hard to get over. I was frustrated and angry that whole night. Got a terrible sleep, up all night thinking about it,” he said.
“I feel like I did a lot right, particularly the three weeks before this, and yeah, when you have nine holes like that, when it kind of comes out the blue like it did, it’s just really frustrating, particularly the spot I was in.
“I didn’t really need to do too much more to be in the golf tournament, so it’s just really frustrating.”
Victorian David Bransdon conjured six birdies in his final nine holes to match Adam Henwood’s 10-under total and share victory at the Gold Coast Senior PGA Championship.
The $40,000 two-day event sponsored by Pimpama City Shopping Centre again drew an exceptional field to Lakelands Golf Club.
In spite of all the recent wet weather, the course was in fantastic condition, the best of the PGA Legends Tour taking full advantage.
Henwood shot 7-under 65 on day one to take a one-stroke lead into Round 2 and followed it with a round of 3-under 69 in the morning wave to set the mark at 10-under.
It looked like holding up for most of the afternoon until Bransdon swooped late, including a birdie from 20 feet at his final hole, the par-4 10th, the toughest hole on the golf course.
“I was trying to hit it close. I had a good number,” Bransdon said of his approach into his final hole.
“I was in the middle of the fairway, 8-iron in, 139 metres, little head breeze and I thought little draw in there. Didn’t quite draw and it actually landed softly, which was unusual today because the greens were quite firm.”
Order of Merit leader Andre Stolz (67) also finished strongly on Friday but had to settle for a share of third alongside Brad Burns (67) with Derrin Morgan (70) and Peter Senior (69) tied for fifth.
HOW THE WINNING ROUNDS UNFOLDED
After eight birdies in Round 1, Henwood arrived at Lakelands on Friday with similar intent.
His putter failed to respond, however, and he was 1-over through 10 holes thanks to a double-bogey at the par-4 18th.
A birdie t the par-5 second got him back to square on his round and then he surged forward courtesy of an eagle at the par-5 fifth and final birdie at the par-4 eighth.
Bransdon also did his best work on the Lakelands front nine.
Starting from the par-5 11th, Bransdon was even par through nine holes before unleashing a run of four straight birdies from the par-3 second to instigate his final flurry.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
Bransdon: “I was even par after eight holes and went, Maybe we’re playing for second or third. Then I got on a bit of a run and reeled off six birdies in the next 10 holes. I hit 3-wood into that seventh hole that we were playing as a driveable par 4 and made par and went, Here we go. And then I birded eight and then hit a nice shot into nine and missed a bit of a short one. And then I hit an awesome 4-wood down 10, the hardest hole on the golf course, then hit 8-iron to about 20 feet and I popped it in and I went, Wow, there we go.”
Henwood: “I actually played great the first eight holes and then just made the dumbest double on the 18th. I didn’t do anything different. I holed a couple of six-footers and the rest were… I just kept playing. It was just all on putter today mate, and I just couldn’t get it done. But I holed a couple on the last four holes and the eagle putt was nice.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Adam Henwood 65-69—134
T1 David Bransdon 68-66—134
T3 Andre Stolz 68-67—135
T3 Brad Burns 68-67—135
T5 Derrin Morgan 66-70—136
T5 Peter Senior 67-69—136
7 Nigel Lane 67-70—137
NEXT UP
The PGA Legends Tour heads north to the Sunshine Coast on Monday for the NewGen Caravans Tin Can Bay Legends Pro-Am at Tin Can Bay Country Club, the start of the end-of-season run that concludes with the Queensland Senior PGA Championship on December 15.
American Matthew Siporin hopes to turn a win on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series into better results on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
Earning his card at Q School at Moonah Links in April, Siporin shot even par 72 at Friday’s IK Harrison Pro-Am at Elanora Country Club to be declared joint winner with New South Welshman Jay Mackenzie (72).
In Australia since the WA PGA Championship at Kalgoorlie, Siporin has missed all five cuts to date but hopes to use his Elanora win as a springboard into the rest of the season.
“I’m hoping I’ve turned a little bit of a page here,” said the California native.
“What made me come down was just the chance to play on a tour somewhere else.
“I’d heard that the Australian tour is an up-and-coming and developmental tour with good players and decent purses. I just wanted to explore the world and see a new place and meet new people and played different tracks.
“I came out here and made the trip and making lasting memories. That’s what it’s about.”
Siporin had three birdies and three bogeys in his even-par round, Mackenzie’s round consisting of a lone birdie at two and a single bogey at the short par-3 17th.
The pair finished one stroke clear of a group of seven players at 1-over 73 including Monash Country Club Head Professional, Torie Blakemore.
HOW THE WINNING ROUNDS UNFOLDED
When Mackenzie began his round with a bogey on 17, a winning speech at presentations was the furthest thing from his mind.
It took just three holes to get back to square with the card courtesy of a birdie at the par-5 second and then Mackenzie peeled off 14 straight pars to close out his round.
Starting from the par-4 14th, Siporin was 2-under on his round after birdies at 16 and two but made bogeys at four, nine and 10 to drop to 1-over. The short par-4 13th would be Siporin’s final hole, successfully finding the birdie that would tie the lead.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
Siporin: “The course was just magnificent. I hadn’t seen it before teeing off today and it far exceeded all expectations that I had coming into it. It was great. It was challenging, it was fair. The pin locations were good, it’s a great track. Glad I came out here and played some good golf.”
Mackenzie: “It was a good day. I played with a couple of nice guys and Anthony Choat, which was nice. Chipped and putted well. Probably didn’t hit the ball the best, but chipped and putted good so that kept me in it.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Jay Mackenzie 72
T1 Matthew Siporin 72
T3 Andrew Richards 73
T3 James Grierson 73
T3 Torie Blakemore 73
T3 Joseph Owen 73
T3 Jayden Cripps 73
T3 Anthony Choat 73
T3 Aaron Maxwell 73
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series is at Pymble Golf Club on Monday for the NSW/ACT PGA Foursomes Championship and then heads to Melbourne on Tuesday for the Eastwood Golf Club Pro-Am.
He went toe-to-toe with superstars Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert at the NSW Open and now Alex Simpson has earned a share of victory at the Tee’d Up Cart Insurance/Kohinor Scaffolding Asquith Pro-Am.
Asquith Golf Club welcomed a strong field on Thursday, Simpson’s form at the NSW Open where he finished tied for second behind Herbert and level with Smith holding up in a round of 6-under 64.
He was one of three players to post 64, joined on the winner’s podium by fellow New South Welshman Aaron Townsend and West Australian Joseph Owen.
As he eyes a return to the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia at next week’s Victorian PGA Championship, Simpson was happy to see his Murray Downs form carry over.
“It’s definitely a massive boost of confidence, being able to hold my own in that company and have a nice result there,” said the 41-year-old.
“I felt that today. Just feeling good about my game and that things are heading in the right direction.
“Looking forward to playing the tour events for the remainder of the season and finishing as high up as I can there and see what happens.”
Victorian Aiden Didone (65) finished one shot back to grab solo fourth as five players returned scores of 3-under 67.
HOW THE WINNING ROUNDS UNFOLDED
Three-under through 10 holes, Simpson needed a late surge to join Townsend and Owen at the top of the leaderboard.
His round began with a par at the par-4 16th and with six birdies and a bogey, Simpson was 5-under with three holes to play.
Simpson made birdie at the par-5 13th but dropped a shot at the par-3 14th, an eighth and final birdie at the par-5 15th getting him to 6-under.
Owen, too, needed a final flurry to earn just his second adidas PGA Pro-Am Series win in his rookie season.
Owen had just one birdie in his first nine holes but had four birdies, a bogey and an eagle at the par-5 first to finish at 6-under.
There was just a lone bogey in Townsend’s round of 64, three successive birdies from the par-5 eighth crucial in joining Owen and Simpson at the top of the leaderboard.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
Simpson: “The conditions were pretty conducive to low scoring. I thought it was pretty soft and the greens were rolling nicely. Managed to roll a few in early and just kept it going.”
Owen: “I had never played here so I thought I was going to play it fairly conservative and just build my way into the round, which I did. “Got hot late where I made a few birdies in a row and eagled one, which was my third last hole. It was a slowish start and then got hot at the end, which got me up there leaderboard.”
Townsend: “It’s a fun golf course to play. I got off to a nice start, made a couple of birdies early, but I just hit the ball in play a lot. I made a couple of nice putts early and that’s what you need, to see the ball go in. The greens were fantastic. Tiny bit slow, but that’s probably expected for the hot weather we’ve had but they rolled incredibly well.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Aaron Townsend 64
T1 Joseph Owen 64
T1 Alex Simpson 64
4 Aiden Didone 65
T5 Alex Edge 67
T5 Andre Lautee 67
T5 Luke Malcolm 67
T5 Dean Mulley 67
T5 Jay Mackenzie 67
NEXT UP
The Sydney swing continues on Friday with the I.K. Harrison Elanora Pro-Am at Elanora Country Club and then on Monday Pymble Golf Club hosts the NSW/ACT Foursomes Championship.
With a first-round of 65 in the bank, and facing soft conditions on the Sandbelt, Cameron Smith has his sights on accumulating a 20-under-par total at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
The former Open champion has made no secret of his desire to win his national open and he made a strong start at The Victoria Golf Club today, ending two shots behind leader Lucas Herbert.
His second round will be at Kingston Heath on Friday afternoon where a huge crowd is expected to see how low Smith can go.
“I mean if it stays like this, it probably would be close to 20-under if there’s no wind, which is crazy,” Smith said when asked post-round what score might win this week.
“Usually around here if you get off to a nice start, anywhere in those kind of high singles to maybe 10 or 11 under is a really good score.
“Hopefully it firms up a little bit and it’s a bit of a tougher test.”
After a sluggish start, Smith was +1 through his first four holes but he rattled off six straight birdies either side of the turn to move up the leaderboard.
Back-to-back birdies on his last two holes, the eighth and ninth at Victoria, left the Ripper GC captain in a good mood.
“I didn’t do really much wrong today,” he said.
“It was a bit of a slow start, obviously being so early, getting up so early.
“I think just a bit draggy there at the start and then finally woke up, the coffee worked and I got on a good roll there through the turn.
“I didn’t do too much wrong from probably the second or third hole.”
Playing with Smith, new BMW Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie slipped to +3 after seven holes before fighting back to post a 1-under 70.
Australian Golf is toasting a new partnership with Australian drinks specialist Liquorland ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne.
As part of an expanded three-year partnership, Liquorland, which has more than 800 stores across Australia, will be a major partner of Golf Australia and its flagship tournament, the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
A standout feature of this partnership will be the Liquorland Lounge, a premium activation within The 19th fan experience zone at Kingston Heath Golf Club on Melbourne’s famed Sandbelt during this year’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open from November 28 to December 1.
Positioned overlooking the iconic 10th tee and fairway, the Liquorland Lounge in The 19th will set a new benchmark for fan experiences offering a vibrant fusion of golf, premium beverages and a buzzing social atmosphere. Guests can enjoy the official beverages of the tournament – from award-winning wines by James Busby to the renowned Canard-Duchêne from France’s idyllic Champagne region.
With daily highlights including a Canard-Duchêne sabrage ceremony by Chef de Cave Laurent Fédou, and freshly shucked rock oysters sourced from Flinders Oysters on Phillip Island, finished with a Canard-Duchêne Champagne mignonette, visitors will be able to treat themselves in style whilst enjoying all The Open has to offer.
Australia’s drinks specialist will also be a partner of the PGA of Australia, Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland and Australian WPGA Championship at Sanctuary Cove.
Michael McDonald, Chief Commercial Officer for PGA of Australia and Golf Australia said: “We are delighted to welcome Liquorland to Australian Golf’s family of partners as we continue to experience significant growth in both the professional and amateur sides of the game.
“We’re looking forward to collaborating with Liquorland to enhance our Summer of Golf, particularly with their upcoming Liquorland Lounge activation at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
“Their support will also assist with achieving our goals at both the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia where we are dedicated to enhancing the game.”
Coles Liquor Chief Executive Officer Michael Courtney said: “We’re proud to be a major partner of Australian Golf for the next three years. Golf is a sport that resonates with many for the social connection it brings to players and spectators alike. This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to marry our favourite drinks to an iconic celebration of sporting excellence as the temperature and tournament heat up.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to our Liquorland Lounge at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, where guests can raise a glass with the finest Champagne from Canard-Duchêne and the rich flavours of James Busby wines while enjoying the fine foods offered throughout the tournament.”
—
About Liquorland
Liquorland is a liquor retailer that launched in Australia in 1971. Its more than 800 national stores offer customers great value wine, beer and spirits for every occasion.
Driven to make shopping more convenient and accessible, Liquorland offers 30-minute Click & Collect and 90-minute Express Delivery via liquorland.com.au.
Customers can also earn Flybuys points for every dollar they spend in-store and online.
Liquorland supports the responsible consumption of alcohol and is a founding member of DrinkWise (get the facts DrinkWise.org.au). Liquorland is owned by Coles Liquor along with other national liquor retailers First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars.
When asked today at Kingston Heath Golf Club to grade his year as a professional golfer, Min Woo Lee gave himself a B, and after one of her only winless years as a professional on LPGA Tour, sister Minjee’s grade for 2024 wouldn’t be as high as she would like.
To some a B is just fine, completely acceptable, for others B could even be cause for celebration, but for a golfer who’s steady rise to the top has been relatively linear since he was a teenager, Min Woo seemed slightly disappointed with the grading.
In the 12 months since his stunning win at last year’s Australian PGA Championship, Lee has not recorded a win, his tied-third finish at the 2023 ISPS HANDA Australian Open a week later the latest of his close calls.
He also had two runner-up finishes in his first fulltime year on the PGA TOUR.
What Lee was also able to accomplish included qualifying for the PGA TOUR Playoffs, and remain in the top-50 on the Official World Golf Rankings, which are no small feats.
“At the end of the day, it wasn’t too bad of a year,” Lee said. “Had some good finishes but had a very consistent year, which I’m not really known for.
“I am trying to get to that stage. I feel like you kind of have a taste of the consistency and you’re kind of like, ‘oh top 20, top 30 again and again’.”
Making a name for himself with bursts of brilliance, and fireworks on the golf course, maybe it’s not disappointment and just the fact he is still getting used to his newfound steadiness.
Minjee meanwhile, fresh off a flight from the US, while clearly not thrilled with her year on the LPGA Tour, but seemed happy to be back in her home country with the pressure slightly off.
Whenever Australian great Karrie Webb returned to the Australian Open, winning was the expectation, anything else a failure.
It’s an expectation Minjee took on, but this year the expectation has probably been handed over to fellow West Australian star Hannah Green, a three-time LPGA Tour winner in 2024.
With the pressure off, it might finally be time for Minjee to breakthrough in her home open.
“Because it’s my national title, I think I’ve put a little bit more added pressure just on myself to perform and have a good result,” said Minjee at Kingston Heath today.
“Sometimes it does work in my favour and sometimes it doesn’t, and I think more often than not, it has not worked in my favour.”
The pressure was on Min Woo last year at The Australian too, hot off his big win in Brisbane and leading after three rounds, it wasn’t to be.
Both Minjee and Min Woo will have to overcome other hurdles this week. Min Woo has an ongoing knee issue, while Minjee has to tee it up on Thusday without seeing the course.
The only chance she had for a practice round was Wednesday afternoon, and with both courses closed due to weather, the first look she will get will be her 7:11am tee time at Victoria tomorrow.
This year the Lees have less expectation, publicly at least, and that might be exactly what they need. Such is the nature of the Open, and how highly they regard it, a win for both here may turn their grades for 2024 into a least an A.
It was not a decision made lightly but the lure of an LPGA Tour card was enough to convince Kirsten Rudgeley to skip this week’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open in favour of the Ladies European Tour season finale.
As her fellow countrywomen tee it up at Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Clubs, Rudgeley is the lone Aussie at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana.
A member of the Golf Australia Rookie Squad, Rudgeley sought the advice of the national body before committing to a hit-and-run mission to Spain.
Currently 11th on the LET Order of Merit, a good result this week would propel Rudgeley inside the top 10 and secure a place at LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifying next week in Alabama.
“Talking to Golf Australia, they turned around to me and said definitely play [in Spain],” Rudgeley told LET Media.
“They know your goal is to be on the LPGA. Best of both worlds, I’ll be able to do both next year.
“[But] it was very good to be at home and have some heat. It was nice to be home and see family and friends in Australia.”
Currently 168th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking, Rudgeley continues to establish her international credentials.
She has missed just one cut on the LET this season while amassing six top-10s – a run which included losing in a playoff to Chiara Tamburlini at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
It’s opened up a pathway to join a growing list of Australians with status on the LPGA Tour in 2025, albeit not one she had considered at the start of the year.
“It wasn’t my aim at the start of the season,” said Rudgeley, who currently trails Alexandra Försterling in 10th by 43.13 points.
“You know me, I just play golf and see what happens. But an opportunity has opened up so why not.
“It’s a long way to come for one event but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.“
While Rudgeley flies solo in Spain, there is a healthy Australian contingent teeing it up on Wednesday in Round 1 of the International Series Qatar.
Two-time Australian Open champion Matt Jones has been paired with Asian Tour Order of Merit hopeful Ben Campbell of New Zealand, New South Welshman Travis Smyth hoping to push into the top 10 on the Order of Merit.
Photo: Tristan Jones/LET
Round 1 tee times AEDT
Asian Tour
International Series Qatar
Doha Golf Club, Qatar
2:15pm Aaron Wilkin
2:15pm* Wade Ormsby
2:35pm* Ben Campbell (NZ), Matt Jones
2:45pm Kevin Yuan
2:55pm Zach Murray
2:55pm* Jack Thompson
3:05pm Scott Hend
3:15pm Andrew Dodt
3:25pm* Justin Warren
6:35pm Travis Smyth
7:25pm* Maverick Antcliff
7:35pm Jed Morgan
9:45pm* Marcus Fraser
2023 champion: Andy Ogletree
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US2.5 million
TV times: Live 8pm-12am Wednesday, Thursday; Live 7:30pm-11:30pm Friday, Saturday on Fox Sports 507 and Kayo.
Japan Golf Tour
Golf Nippon Series JT Cup
Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club, Tokyo
11:50am Michael Hendry (NZ)
2023 champion: Yasuka Semikawa
Past Aussie winners: Paul Sheehan (2004), Brendan Jones (2007)
Prize money: ¥130 million
Ladies European Tour
Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana
Real Club Guadalhorce Golf, Spain
9:39pm Kirsten Rudgeley (AUS)
2023 champion: Aditi Ashok
Past Aussie winners: Corinne Dibnah (1987), Rachel Hetherington (1995), Nikki Garrett (2007), Stacey Keating (2012)
Prize money: €700,000
TV times: Live 12am-3am Friday, Saturday, Sunday on Fox Sports 507 and Kayo.
The R&A has confirmed that three spots in the 2025 Open Championship will be offered to the top three non-exempt players at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open this week.
This continues a relationship that has been in place for the past few years. Last year in Sydney, Joaquin Niemann, Adam Scott and Rikuya Hoshino all booked places in the Open field for 2024.
In the event of a tie for a qualifying place, the player with the higher ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking at the beginning of the week commencing 25 November will be awarded a place in the 153rd Open.
In a change to previous qualifying criteria, the place of a successful qualifier who later becomes exempt via another category will not pass to the next non-exempt golfer from that Open Qualifying Series event.
The R&A will publish the full schedule for the Open Qualifying Series and list of exemptions for the 153rd Open early in 2025.
Three players in the field are already exempt: defending champion Joaquin Niemann, 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith and Englishman Jordan Smith.
The Open is at Royal Portrush from 13-20 July next year.
