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A family entrenched in military service is driving PGA Academy Professional Scott McDermott to seek support in expanding a Melbourne-based golf program for military veterans into a national initiative.
As Australia and New Zealand observe ANZAC Day on Friday in honour of the servicemen and women who have served and those currently deployed, McDermott’s ‘Fairways to Resilience’ golf program is nearing its one-year anniversary.
Initially inspired to develop the program after seeing the impacts of war on his father, brother and uncle – and having witnessed the positive influence golf has had on All Abilities athletes he has coached – McDermott has structured a program that is as strong in social connection as it is in straightening wayward tee shots.
Developed initially with the support of the Department of Veterans Affairs and now sponsored by Frankston RSL, a pilot program with 16 participants last year highlighted the benefits received by those who took part.
Seventy-five per cent of respondents to a post-program questionnaire reported that they felt more socially connected than they did eight weeks prior and 87.5 per cent said that they would continue to play golf to support their well-being.
“If this program were to continue, I would jump at the opportunity to continue as I see the benefit in not only learning and improving on a new skill, but in also supporting my mental health,” said one respondent.
“I need this in my life to help me with my issues,” wrote another.
Given what he has seen not only the past year but through the lived experience of his family dating back to his great grandfather’s service in World War I, McDermott knows the good such a program could do on a national scale.
“All three of my family members who have gone through the military and who are still alive have some level of impact in their life that has been quite dramatic,” McDermott explains.
“Probably the reason why I didn’t end up going down that track because I saw what it does, but at the same time I thought, How can I help these people?
“It’s a holistic approach to developing individuals’ social skills, community skills, getting back out in the community and participating. Being around people who have lived experiences very similar to their own.”
In addition to golf skill development and shared rounds of golf, coffees after each session are built into the program.
It is that development of a self-sustained support network where McDermott sees the greatest potential impact.
“As a golfer, we know how social this game is, we know how good it is for your physical and mental health and we have studies to support that,” he added.
“The responses to that initial questionnaire spoke about connecting with people, making new friendships and being part of a community. If they have a bad day, there is someone they can reach out to with a shared or very similar experience.
“That’s potentially reducing someone’s suicidal thoughts and reducing those by giving them a platform where they can make friendships, develop relationships and feel comfortable.”
To go national, McDermott needs two things.
He wants to build a comprehensive program structure that provides fellow PGA Professionals the toolkit and background to deliver it themselves… and he needs funding.
The number of spots McDermott can currently offer is limited by sponsorship but he hopes support by organisations such as DVA and the Australian Defence Force could open the door for thousands of military personnel to take part.
“I knew what they needed. They wanted social connection and they wanted to start playing golf and the only reason it hasn’t grown further is due to funding,” he said.
“Federal funding would allow us to offer it around the country and for other PGA Professionals to get involved.
“When I talk to people from Frankston RSL, the DVA, people in Canberra, they all love it. They say it’s phenomenal and to keep doing what you’re doing.
“But until we can find that federal funding, the program will remain localised and we’ll be restricted in how many military personnel we can offer it to.”
First-year professional Jimmy Zheng hopes to emulate his fellow New Zealander Kazuma Kobori by turning a Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School victory into a DP World Tour card.
Rounds of 67-67-69-68 gave the Duke University economics graduate a 17-under-par total on the Moonah Links Old Course and a three-shot margin over runner-up Ben Wharton (Victoria).
As the Qualifying School – Australia Final Stage champion, Zheng will be fully exempt for all tournaments in the 2025/26 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season, which begins in August with the PNG Open at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.
His compatriot Kobori was the Q School winner two seasons ago and then went on to have a spectacular 2023/24 season, winning three tournaments to claim the Order of Merit title and earn his DP World Tour card.
One of five New Zealanders to earn a Tour card by finishing amongst the top 26 and ties today, Zheng came through the First Stage of Q School last week, advancing in a share of sixth place, before leading Final Stage for the majority of the 72 holes.
He made his Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia debut as a Monday qualifier at this year’s Heritage Classic, finishing in a tie for 28th.
“It feels like a real big boost of confidence,” the 23-year-old said of his victory.
“I’m real excited to play all the events and kind of see how my golf stacks up against all the other veterans and good golfers that have come through this system.”
Kobori’s achievements are a target for every Qualifying School professional with Zheng no exception.
“That would be the dream, honestly. Go through the PGA Tour of Australasia and get a DP (World Tour) card from the Order of Merit at the end of the season,” he said.
“Kazuma and I played a lot of junior golf together before I went over to America for uni.”
Further down the Qualifying School leaderboard, the biggest fightback in the final round came from former New Zealand Open champion Zach Murray who shot a 6-under-par 66 to retain his Tour card by a single shot.
Back at Q School after finishing 111th on the 2024/25 Order of Merit, Murray came to his last hole, the par-4 ninth, knowing he needed a birdie to reach the magic number required. He hit his approach shot to 15 feet and rolled in the putt for one of the most important threes of his career.
The 28-year-old was well back in a tie for 61st after a day one 77 but on the final day collected 10 birdies, alongside two bogeys and a double.
“It was a wild ride for sure,” the Albury professional said.
Unfortunately, it was a different story for three-time Tour winner Tom Power Horan who triple-bogeyed his final hole, the par-5 18th, to finish at 1-over-par, one shot outside the top 26 and ties mark needed.
Among the other successful qualifiers were former NZ PGA champion Louis Dobbelaar, outstanding NSW Amateur Declan O’Donovan, who featured on a number of Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia leaderboards in the recently completed season, and 2023 Japan Amateur champion Rintaro Nakano.
O’Donovan intends to retain his amateur status for now as he focusses on the big amateur events overseas in the northern summer.
The top 26 finishers and ties earned Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia will be placed in a Tournament Exemption Category.
Those players finishing beyond 26th place and ties, who completed 72 holes at Final Stage, will be eligible for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, however, they will not hold an exemption category for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
All players who played 72 holes of the Final Stage earned a Pro-Am exemption category and be eligible to enter adidas PGA Pro-Am Series events.
The 72–hole Final Stage of Qualifying – USA will be played July 15-18 and the leading six players and ties from the USA will be eligible to for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, and will be placed in a Tournament Exemption Category. As in Australia, the winner of this stage will be fully exempt for all tournaments in the 2025/26 season.
Those players finishing from seventh to 20th place and ties at Final Stage USA, will be eligible for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, however, they will not hold an exemption category for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
The top 20 players will also earn a Pro-Am exemption category and be eligible to enter adidas PGA pro-Am Series.
Victorians Bradley Kivimets and Liam Reaper have clinched section victories in the First Stage of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s Qualifying School – Australia at Moonah Links.
Kivimets won Section A by one shot from Jason Hong (NSW) after closing with a 65 to finish on 12-under-par for the 54 holes, while Reaper shot a final round 69 for an 8-under total to overhaul 2023 Japan Amateur champion Rintaro Nakano in Section B
After leading coming into the final round, Nakano battled to a 75 to end up in a share of second position with Victorian Aiden Didone at 7-under.
Silvester Tan (WA) was the other amateur to advance from Section B, while four amateurs – Queenslanders Max Ford and Ryan Swann, NSW’s Ethan Harvey and Victorian Sang Jun Lee – qualified from Section A.
One of the biggest moves on the final day came from Kieran Jones (NSW) who climbed to T8 from a share of 21st thanks to a 65 to follow on from opening rounds of 72-70.
The top 18 finishers from both stages advanced to next week’s Final Stage, also at Moonah Links.
Former Australian amateur representative Max Charles (Vic), who lost to Nathan Barbieri in a playoff at Final Stage last year, qualfiied with a 3-under-par total in Section A.
However, his 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship teammate, Connor Fewkes (WA), who is looking to make the switch to pro golf, failed to advance with a 2-over-par total.
The 72-hole Final Stage of Qualifying School – Australia, which has a confirmed field of 65 starters, gets underway on Monday with the top 26 finishers and ties to earn Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia and be placed in a Tournament Exemption Category. The winner will be fully exempt for all tournaments in the 2025/26 season.
Those players finishing beyond 26th place and ties, who complete 72 holes at Final Stage, will be eligible for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, however, they will not hold an exemption category for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
All players who play 72 holes of the Final Stage will earn a pro-am exemption category and be eligible to enter adidas PGA Pro-Am series events.
The 72 – hole Final Stage of Qualifying – USA will be played July 15-18 and the leading six players and ties from the USA will be eligible to for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, and will be placed in a Tournament Exemption Category. As in Australia, the winner of this stage will be fully exempt for all tournaments in the 2025/26 season.
Those players finishing from seventh to 20th place and ties at Final Stage USA, will be eligible for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, however, they will not hold an exemption category for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
The top 20 players will also earn a pro-am exemption category and be eligible to enter adidas PGA pro-Am Series.
Photo: Victorian Bradley Kivimets
Financial assistance and the pride felt in wearing sponsored apparel are just two of the benefits felt by recipients of the Webex All Abilities Scholarship.
Entries for the eight scholarships available in 2025 are now open and will provide sponsored athletes with funding for coaching support, financial assistance to put towards entry fees and accommodation, equipment and apparel courtesy of adidas and Callaway Golf and priority entry into Webex Players Series events to be held as part of the 2025/2026 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season.
The eight scholarships are an increase of the six inaugural recipients in 2024, one of whom was Victorian teenager Noah Schammer (pictured, right).
An exceptionally talented golfer who plays off single figures, Noah received one of three Development Scholarships last year.
He put that support to good use, taking out the Webex All Abilities Players Series Victoria tournament at Rosebud Country Club in January.
Noah’s mother, Bree, says that the scholarship was not only of great assistance to their family, but gave Noah an enhanced feeling of self-esteem as he pursued his passion for golf.
“This scholarship was an incredible support, allowing access to specialised golf sport science training and support to provide his regular team with deeper information to further develop his game,” said Bree.
“The travel funds significantly helped the financial load on his family for Noah to travel and attend tournaments and the apparel support from adidas was worn with pride at many golf events. And continues to be!
“The equipment support from Callaway was also much appreciated.”
A full scholarship was just part of a whirlwind 12 months for South Australian Steven Alderson.
Not only did Steven successfully defend his Webex All Abilities Players Series South Australia title at Willunga, he made history as the first person with autism to win on the G4D Tour in Europe, going on to win the net crown at the G4D Tour Series Finale in Dubai.
“The scholarship has helped me immensely and changed my life for the better,” Steven said.
Victory at the Macau Masters World Games was the highlight of Development Scholarship holder Natascha Tennent, who participated in a number of Webex All Abilities Players Series tournaments.
“The money allowed Natascha to receive additional coaching to assist in improving her game and preparing her for more competitive tournaments,” said Natascha’s mum, Kathleen.
“It also made it possible for Natascha to compete in an international competition as a portion was used for her travel. She then proceeded to become the female champion at the Macau Masters World Games.
“The equipment factor of the scholarship was also considerably helpful as shoes, clothing, bags and balls are another important part for an athlete and the cost does add up.”
Glenn Smith, Regional Manager Collaboration for Cisco, said that as an organisation driven to provide an inclusive future for all, Cisco was delighted to expand their support of the Webex All Abilities Scholarship in 2025.
“We’re inspired by the talent and passion that the All Abilities athletes possess,” said Smith.
“It gives us great pleasure to assist in increasing the number of recipients of the scholarship this year in partnership with the PGA of Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.
“Providing the opportunity for All Abilities athletes to showcase their skill is core to Cisco’s values, and our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.”
As Senior Manager – Coaching Programs for the PGA of Australia, Nick Bielawski highlighted the impact that the funding made available by Webex is having not only on golf development, but on the entire family.
“People with a disability do not get the opportunity to participate without a great deal of support from family and friends,” said Bielawski.
“The Webex All Abilities Scholarship is a way of supporting the people who support our athletes while, at the same time, providing opportunities to continue their golf development.
“We have seen some wonderful performances from our 2024 scholarship holders over the past 12 months and I am excited to see the quality of applicants we receive for 2025.
“None of this, of course, is possible without the wonderful support we receive from Webex, adidas and Callaway.”
In 2025 there will be four Full Scholarships and four Development Scholarships.
To be considered for a Team Webex scholarship, athletes must be an Australian citizen and a WR4GD pass holder. Additionally, athletes must have played in at least one of the following:
After applications have closed, athletes will be shortlisted with further interviews arranged to determine the final recipients of the scholarships.
Full Scholarship recipients will receive:
Development Scholarship recipients will receive:
Click here to submit to submit your application to join Team Webex as a Webex All Abilities Scholarship holder.
A new national marketing campaign highlighting the expertise of PGA Professionals across all areas of the golf industry has gone live.
‘The Pro Will Know’ is designed highlight that PGA Professionals are there to assist all golfers with everything they need to enjoy the sport.
Whether it’s coaching, equipment, club-fitting, course management, or anything else to do with our sport, PGA Professionals and the ones every golfer should engage with.
“With their extensive knowledge, training, and passion for the sport, PGA Professionals are unquestionably the experts in golf,” said Geoff Stewart, General Manager – Education and Training for the PGA of Australia.
“At every level of the game, PGA Professionals are there to guide all types of golfers in their journey in the sport.
“From beginners just getting started through to the scratch marker looking for the putter that fits them perfectly, PGA Professionals are there to provide friendly, expert advice.
“We hope that this latest campaign emphasises that in a fun way that I’m sure every golfer can relate to.”
Carl Smedley found himself “in the zone” as he took a first-round lead at the PNG Senior Open today.
On his fourth visit to Lae Golf Club, Smedley posted a 5-under-par 66 to head fellow Victorian Terry Pilkadaris by two shots with only other three players under par after day one.
Another 36 holes are to come over the weekend and Smedley is in a great mood as he tries to capture his biggest title on the PGA Legends Tour.
Turning point
After a steady even-par first nine, which included two birdies and two bogeys, Smedley caught fire on the back nine.
He birdied the 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes – part of a run of six consecutive threes – on the way to back nine of 30.
Quick quotes
Smedley said: “The greens are a little slower than what I’m used to. I just told myself to hit it hard. I hit a lot of shots close and had some short birdie putts where I didn’t have to smack them so it was pretty good.
“You know when they talk about being in the zone, I was in the zone. It was just like perfect golf for me and I haven’t played like that for quite some time.”
Leading scores
1 Carl Smedley 66
2 Terry Pilkadaris 68
T3 John Green 70
T3 Mark Boulton 70
T3 Lucien Tinkler 70
T6 Jason Norris 71
T6 Nigel Lane 71
NEXT UP
Round two of the PNG Senior Open will get underway at 8am on Saturday.
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Queensland’s Aaron Pike has a love for the Launceston Golf Club and the fondness grew even stronger with an opening round of 7-under-par 65 on day one of the 2025 Tasmanian Open.
Pike is a huge fan of the slopy greens at Kings Meadow which leads to precision more than power being the key factor to score low and he had nine birdies on the way to establishing a one-shot lead to take into the weekend.
His nearest challenger is Tasmanian Simon Hawkes, who won his state open nine years ago and produced two eagles in his 66 – a two at the 242m par-4 first and a three at the 508m par-5 10th.
Matias Sanchez and Connor McDade (69) share third while defending men’s champion Alex Edge is six back in a tie for eighth after an opening 71.
Meanwhile, Victorian Grace Yang leads the women’s Open by three shots after starting with an even-par 73 that featured six birdies.
Turning point
Beginning his round from the 10th tee in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series event, Noosa-based Pike was 1-under through his first five holes, including a double-bogey six after hitting a tee shot out of the bounds at the 11th, before he produced a charge with three consecutive birdies on holes 15-17.
Another trifecta came from the first to the third to move the burly Queenslander to 6-under through 12 holes.
Although he bogeyed the par-4 fifth, Pike quickly bounced back by picking up shots on his next two holes.
Quick quotes
Pike said: “The round was a little bit indifferent. I probably got a bit lucky with a couple of drives staying in-bounds but I managed to keep the ball under the hole and holed a lot of putts.
“It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve played here and I don’t remember much of the course. I’m loving it. I love these older style golf courses that we have in Australia and fast, slopy greens which make you think about your putting.
“I really love that you have to think about where you want to position your ball on the green. A 10-footer under the hole can be better than a four or five-footer above the hole.
“You have to play it smart.”
LEADING SCORES
Men
1 Aaron Pike 65
2 Simon Hawkes 66
T3 Connor McDade 69
T3 Matias Sanchez 69
T5 Will Bruyeres 70
T5 Caleb Bovalina 70
T5 Lachlan Aylen 70
Women
1 Grace Yang (a) 73
2 Mackenzie Thomas (a) 76
T3 Riko Danjo (a) 81
T3 Larissa Dobson (a) 81
NEXT UP
Round two of the Tasmanian Open will get underway at 8.30am on Saturday.
The Greg Norman-designed The Vintage Hunter Valley, nestled in one of Australia’s premier wine regions, will host the Ford NSW Open this year.
No stranger to tournament golf, The Vintage Hunter Valley has hosted the tournament, which is part of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, four times from 2007 to 2010. Like last year, this year’s championship on November 13-16 will carry a minimum purse of $800,000.
Golf NSW CEO Stuart Fraser was thrilled with the decision to return to The Vintage for the first time in over a decade.
“This year’s Ford NSW Open presents a fantastic opportunity for us to ensure the tournament continues to be the most prestigious state championship on the Australian golf calendar,” he said.
“Murray Downs was a fabulous venue for last year’s tournament, and the crowds we saw throughout the week proved how thirsty the public are for elite-level golf.
“The general public of the greater Newcastle and Hunter region has a real love of world-class sport, and we know fans of the game will throw their support behind our flagship event.”
Ripper GC Star Lucas Herbert confirmed his status as one of Australian golf’s best in November last year with a three-shot win over his Ripper GC teammate and 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith, Sydneysider Alex Simpson, and the Hunter’s own Corey Lamb.
“Lucas’ win last year at Murray Downs captured the imagination of fans nationally, while Corey, or ‘Chops’, established himself as a crowd favourite with his quest for the Kel Nalge Cup. Hopefully, we’ll see them battle it out again this November,” Fraser added.
Ford Australia Director of Marketing Ambrose Henderson was excited that Golf NSW is building on the success of the 2024 Ford NSW Open by taking it back to the Hunter Valley region, where Ford has great connections with the local community.
“Since we started our partnership with Golf NSW late last year, we have already seen how golf in regional areas of NSW connects with the local community, and we are proud of the important role Ford and our Ford Dealers play in these communities too.
“The 2025 Ford NSW Open promises to be a spectacular event, with the anticipation of Lucas Herbert’s return to defend his title adding a dynamic edge. It’s thrilling to see such talent continue to grace our tournament, underscoring its prestige in the realm of Australian golf.
“This week we celebrate 100 years of Ford in Australia. As we stride into a new century, partnerships like Golf NSW are vital in our mission to support and uplift local communities through sport.”
Jodie Staples, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Vintage Golf Club, said the organisation was delighted to host the state’s premier golf championship again, adding the opportunity to display to the world what a fantastic destination The Vintage, and indeed the Hunter region, was.
“The Vintage Golf Club is thrilled to host the Ford NSW Men’s Open on our course, and we can’t wait to welcome the players and guests to the Hunter Valley,” she said.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase our beautiful grounds while celebrating the sport we love. We look forward to hosting an incredible event in November.”
PGA of Australia’s General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey noted the Ford NSW Open’s importance on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule and highlighted the excitement of returning to the Hunter Valley region.
“The efforts of Golf NSW to elevate the Ford NSW Open in recent years have been tremendous, and when combining the tournament’s history with the increased prize money, it makes it a highlight of our schedule,” Mr Dastey said.
“Everyone from the players to our staff thoroughly enjoyed Murray Downs in 2024, and I am certain it will be a similar story this year as we return to the Hunter Valley, where the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia has strong ties.”
Tournament Facts:
Host Venue: The Vintage Hunter Valley
Dates: November 13-16, 2025
Prize Fund: AU$800,000 (Min)
Website: www.nswopen.com
Before he won the Texas Children’s Houston Open this past week, it’s fair to say Min Woo Lee didn’t live a life remotely similar to most 26-year-olds from Fremantle.
Despite a constant social media presence and video gaming that helped inspire his “Chef” moniker, Lee’s profession, network of friends and even home base in Las Vegas is vastly different from most Australian 20-somethings.
Yet, even with his jet-setting lifestyle, Lee remains the same personality from his amateur days, and his own reaction to the response over his first PGA TOUR win showcases his ability to stay true to himself.
Among the well-wishers was one of the biggest stars on the planet, Justin Bieber, who Lee claims to be the unofficial golf coach of.
Lee today revealed that the relationship is unique given both feel they are the one to be proud of the friendship.
“The thing is he fanboys kind of over me, but obviously I’m fanboying over him,” Lee said of Bieber.
“We haven’t played (golf) yet, but I got his phone number and we just texted and texted quite often. He would send me videos of his swing and I would critique it and yeah, it’s very cool.”
Proving Lee’s suggestion of the mutual respect over the friendship, it was Bieber who shared an image of their FaceTime following the Aussie’s breakthrough Houston victory to his social media channels.
“He asked me if he could post it and I was like, ‘Bro, do whatever you want. You’re Justin Bieber, I don’t care’,” was Lee’s humorous retelling of how the post came about.
Beyond Bieber, Lee mentioned multiple NBA players among those who congratulated him, including fellow Aussie Josh Giddey and Steph Curry, however, despite their ongoing sibling rivalry, no doubt the support of sister Minjee meant a great deal.
In Las Vegas ahead of this week’s LPGA Tour match play event at Shadow Creek, coincidental timing meant the Lee’s could share a celebratory dinner in Min Woo’s hometown with their shared agent, Brent Hamilton, and coach, Ritchie Smith.
The younger sibling not missing his chance to throw shade at his sister when asked who paid for the Japanese meal on the Vegas ‘Strip’.
“It was me. It was me. Of course it was me. I made a nice little cheque last couple days ago,” Min Woo said. “My sister could have been nice and she could have got it, but it’s all good.”
Family will also be a theme next week for Lee when he contests The Masters for a fourth straight year.
Mum Clara will be on site at Augusta National, where Lee will hope to improve on his already impressive record of T14-MC-T22, with last year’s result perhaps his most impressive giving the preparation.
Unlike this year when he enters the year’s first major as a last start winner, in 2024 Lee teed it up with a broken finger and suffering from illness Monday to Wednesday, a sickness he blames on giving up his jumper to a young fan when watching Minjee in the cold the week prior.
Breaking the digit in the gym, Min Woo plans to be much more careful as he prepares to challenge for his first major title having now accumulated five professional wins in his burgeoning career.
“First of all, obviously just to not drop a dumbbell on your finger. I think that’s priority one. I’ll probably be a bit safer when I’m in the gym right now this week,” he joked of his preparations for Augusta.
“I mean going into it feeling good and yeah, it’s last week felt like an exhausting week, so I just relax and enjoy my time doing nothing really over the last couple days and the next day or so. And yeah, get ready for the big dance.
Adding of his new place as the highest ranked Australian men’s player in the Official World Golf Ranking heading into The Masters: “I mean, it’s crazy. I looked up to these guys and I still do and it’s awesome to be the No.1 ranked Aussie. I still feel like a little kid growing up and I don’t feel 26, I feel 18, 19, 20 as a youngster.
“But there’s youngsters that come out and are very young and you don’t feel as young anymore. But it is very cool. It’s cool to be there. I feel like I inspire kids and inspire people to love and play golf.
“So it’s quite cool to be the top spot, I guess in Australian golf and hopefully I can keep going.”
That attempt to keep going will be alongside major champions Cam Smith, Adam Scott and Jason Day, as well as Cameron Davis in a five-strong Australian contingent at Augusta.
Day continues to do his bit to help Lee become part of the Australian major winner club that his sister is already a member of as a two-time major champion.
“Jason’s been amazing help to me. I think he’s helped me the most out of any player and just advice just in general,” Min Woo said.
“I told him how I felt, really how I felt during THE PLAYERS and I just felt like I wasn’t myself and I was trying to be someone else and he just said just to trust the process and keep hitting good shots and if not, it’s okay.
“And funny, I did that and I won … it’s only love between us and it’s very cool to have a big brother out on Tour.”
The Masters is live and exclusive on Fox Sports, available via Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
Australia’s best professional and elite amateur golfers will test their skills on some of the best regional courses in New South Wales, with dates and venues confirmed for six NSW Regional Open Qualifying tournaments in 2025.
With the Ford NSW Open Championship planned for mid-November, the six $50,000 lead-in events will attract competitors from across Australasia.
In addition to the lucrative purses at each event, three spots in the NSW Open are also up for grabs for the highest placegetters not already exempt into the November field.
With free entry to each venue and the chance to walk the fairways with the players, spectators can witness the action up close.
The venues and dates for the six Regional Open Qualifying Tournaments in 2025 are:
General Manager – Golf at Golf NSW Olivia Wilson said the Regional Open Qualifying Series events were perfect for an aspiring professionals or elite amateurs to kickstart their 2025/26 Australian Summer of Golf.
“The series, as it has done in recent years, can really help a future star of our sport get to the next level,” Ms Wilson said.
“With a guaranteed place in the $800,000 Ford NSW Open, players will be aiming to lock up their spot in the NSW Open quickly.”
Several players have put the qualifying spot to good use in past years by vaulting themselves into the sporting spotlight over the Australian summer.
None more so than Corey Lamb, who parlayed his qualification last year at Queanbeyan into a runner-up finish at the 2024 NSW Open behind eventual winner, Ripper GC star Lucas Herbert, and Ben Henkel, who won at Catalina Club and went on to claim the Gippsland Super 6 on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
Chief Operating Officer at Golf NSW Graeme Phillipson said the tournaments were a welcome financial injection into the communities surrounding the host venues.
“The Regional Open Qualifying Series boosts the host clubs and surrounding towns. The players need somewhere to stay and places to eat and drink, so the visitor economy at each location does benefit, Mr Phillipson said.
The 2025 Ford NSW Open and the NSW Open Regional Qualifying Series are proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
