Media Centre Archives - Page 12 of 63 - PGA of Australia

Look out, Niemann is lurking at Kingston Heath


Joaquin Niemann wasn’t in a good mood after he bogeyed his first hole of the third round of the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

But his outlook had changed completely 17 holes later when he holed a lengthy par putt to sign off on an 8-under-par 64 at Kingston Heath that has kept his title defence well and truly alive.

After being eight back from overnight leader Lucas Herbert, the Chilean will start the final round just two shots adrift of joint leaders Herbert and Ryggs Johnston.

He says it would be “super nice” to put his name on the Stonehaven Cup for a second time to follow on from his playoff victory at The Australian last year.

“I knew I need to play well because I was way behind,” Niemann said.

“I think in the morning it was a little bit tougher so I took advantage of that. We’re back in it.”

The only bogey of Niemann’s round came at his opener, the par-4 10th. He then collected seven birdies to go with an eagle at the par-5 first.

“I got pretty pissed about that first bogey of the day. At the start of the day, you don’t really want to start with a bogey, especially if you want to move up on the leaderboard.

“Fortunately I made a great putt on 11 and that got me back into it.”

Among the other big movers were West Australian Curtis Luck who shot a 65 to claim to a share of eighth and Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach, who was out in the first group of the morning and carded a 65 of his own. They are both at 11-under, three back.


Lucas Herbert has kept his foot on the pedal to extend his lead at the halfway mark of the ISPS HANDA Australian Open at Kingston Heath but remains very wary of the challenge coming from his Ripper GC captain Cam Smith.

Thanks to a 6-under-par 66 which followed his first day 63 at Victoria Golf Club, Herbert sits at 14-under with a four-shot lead over American Ryggs Johnston (65-68)

A healthy group of six players are tied third at 9-under, headlined by last week’s BMW Australian PGA Champion Elvis Smylie, who produced one of the shots of the day from a fairway bunker to just a few feet to grab a final birdie on 18 to close out an 8-under round of 64.

Tied with Smylie are a string of internationals, with Americans Harry Higgs (68) and Jordan Gumberg (69) continuing their love of the Sandbelt, while DP World Tour players Oliver Lindell (69), Lukas Nemecz (66) and Matthew Southgate (68) are all well placed to try chase down Herbert.

Cam Smith is T16 at 6-under after a 72 today where he shot 5-under on the front nine before slipping up with three bogeys and a double-bogey on his back nine.

Playing in the afternoon sunshine at Kingston Heath today though, the attention was largely on three men – Herbert, Smith, and Smylie, as the wind whipped through Melbourne’s bayside region.

Not wanting to relinquish his overnight lead, Herbert got about scoring fast and early. Eagle, birdie, birdie had the NSW Open champion reach 12-under for the championship before some of the afternoon groups had even started to walk to the first tee.

The scoring slowed from the fourth though, and 12-under is where he would remain as he made the turn.

“I thought it was funny. I played pretty good yesterday, just didn’t really putt that well and then felt like I putted really well today, scrambled really well and the rest of the game was sort of off,” Herbert said.

“So it was kind of funny. It was like two days of polar opposites to have good scores.”

In the group ahead Herbert, two men were making a charge in Smith and Smylie.

Like Smith, Smylie turned in 5-under, but unlike the 2022 Open champion, he was able to keep the foot on the pedal to get himself back in the Open after a modest 1-under 70 at Victoria on day one.

“It felt like the whole group did a really good job at feeding off each other, momentum wise,” said Smylie.

“We holed a lot of putts on the front nine and the course was playing quite scoreable, so I felt like we did a really good job at capitalising on some of those.”

A Herbert bogey on 10, his first of the week, looked as if he may be heading down the Smith route, however the Bendigo boy shook it off quickly with a string of three birdies 13 through 15.

The pin on The Heath’s famous 15th was treacherously tucked in the front funnel, but as Herbert’s tee shot danced around the pin and he tapped in for birdie, it was clear he is a class above this week so far.

“Some tricky tee shots on that back nine and just to stay really positive with the swings I was making, I’m really proud of those last three or four holes there,” Herbert said.

“16 tee shot, not an easy one. The 18 tee shot not an easy one under the circumstances and I thought I handed them really, really well.”

Two weeks ago it was Herbert chasing Smith to claim the NSW Open at Murray Downs, and while he will start Saturday’s round 8-shots clear of the 2022 Open champion, Herbert is not counting him out. After all, he did it to Rory at St Andrews.

“I’m expecting him to make a run,” Herbert said. “I can’t shoot 72-72 this weekend and expect to win this golf tournament.

“There’s a lot of work still to be done, and I’m expecting these guys behind me to make a charge.”


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.


David Micheluzzi has seen enough of Aldrich Potgieter to know he’s a real threat in the final round of the BMW Australian PGA Championship on Sunday.

Playing together in the opening two rounds at Royal Queensland on Thursday and Saturday, the Victorian and Perth-raised South African shot matching scores of 67-67 to sit in a share of fourth place at 8-under-par, two shots from the lead in the event co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.

They will be paired together in the Sunday finale, both chasing the biggest professional titles of their career.

Playing as an invitee this week ahead of his debut on the PGA TOUR in 2025, Potgieter is looking to add to his Korn Ferry Tour win in The Bahamas in January.

Meanwhile, Micheluzzi, the 2022/23 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, is chasing his first DP World Tour title.

“He hits it so far. It’s just ridiculous,” Micheluzzi said of his playing partner.

“And you could see why he absolutely loves it in the States. He just sends it and not only that, it’s his control. His iron play, wedges, his short game, it’s complete.

“I’m more worried about him tomorrow. He can literally carry every bunker on the golf course and just hit short irons into the par-5s where I’m hitting 3-woods.

“His game is unbelievable and he’s a good kid too, which is more important.”

A junior member at Joondalup in Perth where he was coached by David Milne, Potgieter has loved being back home in Australia for this one-off appearance.

His time in WA included the state amateur title in 2021 before claiming the British Amateur at just 17 years of age.

“Milney and I are very close still to this day,” the 20-year-old said.

“He’s out here supporting me, so it’s nice he’s got a few players out here, but I still talk to him, still stay in contact with him.”

As for his length, Potgieter has no thoughts of backing off in the final round.

“There were a couple of tee shots today where it was pumping into the wind and I still could get over the (fairway bunkers),” he said.

“So it’s nice and wide enough where I’m free to just hit the ball. It definitely helps mentally as well just to know that I can hit it, don’t have to stress where it’s going.”


The BMW Australian PGA Championship will now be a 54-hole tournament, with play abandoned before the start of Round 2 at 11:30am local time on Friday.

Almost 250mm of rainfall has fallen in the area around Royal Queensland Golf Club since last Friday, continuing heavy rain on Friday morning making it impossible for course staff to prepare the course for play.

“Continued downpours throughout the morning have left a number of fairways at Royal Queensland Golf Club saturated and the course has been deemed unplayable today,” said Jose Maria Zamora, the DP World Tour Tournament Director for the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

“We plan to start the second round of the BMW Australian PGA Championship at 6am on Saturday, with the third and final round on Sunday.

“We want to ensure we are able to bring this incredible tournament to the planned conclusion on Sunday, mindful of the logistics of playing next week’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open over two courses.”

It is the first time in the 95-year history of the Australian PGA Championship that it will be played over 54 holes, a championship that was a matchplay tournament until 1964.

General Manager of Tournaments & Global Tour Relationships, Nick Dastey, said that the inability of players to take casual relief from water on the fairways made the course unplayable on Friday.

“You can obviously take relief from casual water, but if you haven’t got anywhere to go, you can’t get it,” said Dastey.

“You need to be able to take full relief when taking relief from that casual water.

“At the moment that’s not possible and it’s highly unlikely to be possible at any stage today.

“Hopefully by six o’clock tomorrow morning they’re good.”

Elvis Smylie’s round of 6-under 65 was the best in Round 1, Frenchman Victor Perez, Chilean Christobal Del Solar and Victorian Matias Sanchez playing through the worst of the conditions on Thursday afternoon to join Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach at 5-under and one off the lead.

Aussie pair David MIcheluzzi and Ben Eccles are among eight players tied for sixth at 4-under and spoke glowingly of the condition of the golf course for Round 1 given the amount of rain that had fallen.

“The amount of rain we’ve had since Saturday is just an absolute joke,” said Micheluzzi, the 2022/2023 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner.

“Credit to all the ground staff. I was speaking to one of the boys on the ground staff and I’m just like, we can’t thank you enough.

“I saw one of them put a photo on his Instagram story of this bunker that was just fully flooded. To get it in this shape is just a massive, massive credit to them.”

“They’re still rolling amazing,” added Eccles on the state of the putting surfaces.

“I just can’t believe how good they are considering how much rain we’ve had.

“It’s a massive credit to the team.”


He has aspirations to emulate his idols but Queenslander Elvis Smylie upstaged some of golf’s biggest stars to lead after day one of the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.

A teen prodigy who was touted for greatness, Smylie has had to find his feet gradually in the world of professional golf.

Now 22 years of age, he burst through with a maiden Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia victory at the WA Open last month and now looks primed to take his place within the top echelon of the game.

He had three of his eight birdies in his final holes in a round of 6-under 65, one clear of French star Victor Perez, DP World Tour regular Joel Girrbach, Chilean Christobal Del Solar and Victorian Matias Sanchez.

Both Perez and Sanchez had to play through the worst of the conditions in the afternoon wave, persistent rain complicating shot-making and causing caddies consternation.

With Duane Smith on the bag for the second straight week, Smylie had no such issues, holing a bunker shot at his final hole – the par-5 ninth to edge one stroke clear.

“I hit a really good second shot, actually just flared a little bit into that green-side trap,” said Smylie.

“I had a little bit of room to work with the bunker shot, but I got it a bit fat and ended up going into the bunker ahead of me and then I holed the next one.

“Technically didn’t touch the green and I made four, which is a good way to finish and lots of positives out of the day.

“It’s great having all the Aussies back home and supporting the Australian tournaments. And it’s great to compete against them because, ultimately, I want to be in their shoes and what they’re doing in their career.”

There were plenty of positives, too, in the morning supergroup of Jason Day, Cameron Smith and Min Woo Lee.

Defending champion Lee started fastest with four birdies in his first six holes but it was Day and Smith who shared best scores of the trio with matching 4-under 67s. Lee bogeyed holes four, five and eight to post 3-under and tied for 14th.

Although he sits one shot off the lead, Perez’s 5-under 66 could be considered the round of the day given the conditions he faced.

After making back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 he had joined Smylie at 6-under, a dropped shot when he found the penalty area at the par-5 15th and a missed 12-footer for birdie on 18 keeping him in a share of second.

“Everything seems to bother you a little bit more when you’re not playing as well, but I felt like I was hitting the ball nicely so I was able to just free flow and play,” said Perez.

“I think based on what I saw, we should get more of the good draw (tomorrow). I think there’s some rain coming in the afternoon tomorrow, so it’d be nice to come out, put on a good round early and hopefully see the elements happen in the afternoon.”

South Korean Minkyu Kim produced one of the highlights of Round 1 with a hole-in-one at the par-3 11th, his 8-iron from 147 metres landing on the front edge of the green before hopping into the bottom of the cup.

Headed for the PGA TOUR in 2025, Del Solar joined the leaderboard logjam with an extraordinary late run on Thursday.

Even par through nine holes, Del Solar made four birdies in his final five holes in some of the day’s heaviest rain to also post 5-under.

For BMW Australian PGA Championship tickets, go to ticketek.com.au

The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.


Play has been officially abandoned on Friday with Round 2 to commence at 6am Saturday and the BMW Australian PGA Championship to now be decided over 54 holes.

Follow along live as we track their opening rounds and all the action from across the course.

Friday play abandoned

With continuing rainfall adding to the almost 250mm received since last Friday, play has been officially abandoned. Weather permitting, Round 2 will now begin at 6am on Saturday morning with the third and final round to be played on Sunday. After careful consideration, it was decided that there will be no provision for a Monday finish thus the tournament will be decided over 54 holes.

Update on conditions

Tour officials continue to monitor the state of the golf course. A further update will be issued at 11:30am local time with play delayed until at least 1pm.

Day two on hold

Welcome to a very wet Royal Queensland where more rain overnight has left the course unplayable to start the second round. More than 150mm has fallen since Saturday. Yep, it’s frustrating for sure. Next call on a possible time to start will come at 10am (Qld time)

Sanchez charges

Aussie Matias Sanchez storms home with 30 on his second nine to climb to a share of second, shooting a 5-under 66 in the worst of the conditions.

Round 1 leaderboard

(in the clubhouse)

-6: Elvis Smylie (Qld)

-5: Joel Girrbach (Switzerland); Victor Perez (France); Matias Sanchez (Vic)

-4: Marc Leishman (Vic); Jason Day (Qld); Cam Smith (Qld); Aldrich Potgieter (Sth Africa); Jordan Smith (England); David Micheluzzi (Vic); Ben Eccles (Vic)

Perez ends up one back

A birdie putt on 18 slips by for Victor Perez and he finishes at -5, just one behind Elvis Smylie.

Davis and Herbert finish

Aussie duo Cam Davis and Lucas Herbert have ended their opening rounds. Davis locks in a 69 and Herbert a 71 after an off day with the putter.

Rainy afternoon heading towards its end
Steady rain has made a sodden course even heavier this afternoon. Best of the Aussies still out there is Matias Sanchez at -4, just two back. He’s picked up five shots in his last seven holes

Perez joins the lead

The Frenchman has joined Elvis Smylie on top of the leaderboard after birdies at 12 and 13. The Paris Olympian is bogey-free in the tougher conditions this afternoon.

Allez Victor
France’s Victor Perez is the only serious challenger to Elvis Smylie from the afternoon wave – at the moment anyway. One of the chief DP World Tour contenders this week is -4 through 10 and two shots back.

Star quotes

Elvis Smylie (-6): It’s a home game for me this week. I mean, I’m from the Gold Coast, it’s only an hour’s drive. I’ve played a lot of golf here. I’m quite familiar with the course and every part of my game’s really good at the moment. I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing.

Jason Day (-4): The crowds have been fantastic and seeing a lot of junior golfers out there. It’s fun. It’s only going to get bigger and better as the week progresses, but also as this tournament gets better with BMW. I played with (CEO) Wolfgang yesterday and he says that we’re going to slowly improve this tournament, which is fantastic. I think that’s what Australian golf needs, a big backer like BMW, and Rolex always brings just that little bit extra to a tournament and a good feel of that.

Cam Smith (-4): It was good (to play with Jason Day). It’s been a while since Jase has been home. I think we were probably both hoping for different conditions of the golf course, but you can’t help the weather. I’m sure Jase is looking forward to getting back to firm and fast Australia and it’s quite the opposite out there, so hopefully this rain can go away. The greens are actually still pretty firm, so yeah, hopefully by Sunday we get an Australian golf course.

The afternoon’s best

So far, it’s -2 leading the way in the afternoon groups. DP World Tour players Victor Perez, Ivan Cantero and Jonathan Goth-Rasmussen the top three, four from leader Elvis Smylie

A golden flashback

A much younger Cam Smith was perhaps the first Aussie golfer to hold an Olympic gold medal. Not his own but beach volleyball legend Nat Cook. They played together in the 2014 Australian PGA pro-am when this photo was taken. Keen golfer Nat was on course at RQ today following the Smith group.

New name near the top

Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach has posted a 67 to be one behind our leader Elvis Smylie.

How the super group finished

Cam Smith finished his round with four back nine birdies for his 4-under-par 67.
He found the green in two on the 545m par five seventh, his 16th hole of the day. The hole was playing downwind on the river breeze. A two-putt birdie was comfort.
It was a fine recovery after a few misfires on the front nine. Smith was smiling post-round, something he wasn’t doing 12 months ago when shooting 73-78 to miss the cut.

Jason Day (67) birdied the same seventh hole with a precise shot from the greenside bunker and a good putt. It was his fourth birdie of a round without a bogey.

Min Woo Lee made it three birdies for the group. His approach to the par five just drifted a little left of the pin, caught a slope and fed into the bunker. He’d shortsided himself but a good bunker shot gave him a birdie look which he duly took.
It was good repair work after back-to-back bogeys earlier on the back nine.
He signed for a 68 when that looked like being as high as he could possibly score after reaching -5 through 12 holes with two par fives still to play.

Tight at the top
There’s 23 players within three shots of the lead as we head towards midday. One of those at -3 is defending champion Min Woo Lee. Another is our Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia leader Jack Buchanan.

Our leaders are in the clubhouse

Elvis Smylie birdied the last for a round of 66 to be two shots clear of a group of seven players that includes some of our biggest drawcards – Jason Day, Cam Smith, Marc Leishman and Jordan Smith

Morning breeze

Out on course, you sense the Round 1 leaders will come from the early morning field as the wind starts to whip up on the holes closest to the river. Expect RQ to bare its teeth this afternoon.

Kitchen has cooled

Min Woo Lee has blazed his approach shot through the green on the par-4 14th, currently playing as the second-hardest hole on course. After a delicate chip to the raised green was left with 10 feet for par, which he missed to the right. That’s back-to-back bogeys from nowhere and now 3-under. He is not the only one to have dropped a shot in the last few moments, Potgieter and Harrison Crowe now joint leaders at 4-under with 14 players at 3-under-par.

Sticky situation

Given a ruling and a better lie from the mud and trees on his 14th hole, the par-4 fifth, Jason Day plays a fine shot. Still found the green side bunker but a neat sand shot and it’s par.

Tide turns

As Cam Smith makes yet another birdie, Min Woo Lee is unable to get up-and-down from a soggy greenside bunker on 4. The result is that we now have a six-way tie at the top of the leaderboard at 4-under and 15 players – including Smith – separated by a single shot.

The graduate

Currently 4-under par and tied for the lead, South African Aldrich Potgieter is headed to the PGA TOUR in 2025. At 20 years of age, he is the second-youngest graduate from the Korn Ferry Tour to advance to the PGA TOUR. The youngest? Jason Day.

Back to front

Momentum is a fickle thing in golf. Cam Smith’s issues on the front nine appear to have dissolved. He has made back-to-back birdies on the first and second holes – his 10th and 11th. As the breeze picks up, he has hit a superb tee shot into the par-3 fourth for another birdie chance.

Eagle alert!

New South Welshman Jordan Zunic has surged to within one-stroke of Min Woo’s lead with an eagle at the par-5 seventh. Zunic began his round with three straight birdies at one, two and three and is now 4-under through seven.

Cam turns it around

That’s more like the Cam Smith we know. Lasered iron to his 10th hole, the par 4 first, and sank an eight-footer for birdie. Pars for both Lee and Day.

Day break

As Cam Smith shows his frustration at coming up short and right of the green on 18, Day holes a birdie putt from outside 15 feet to join a group of six players at 3-under and just one back of Min Woo Lee and Freddy Schott.

Seafood, watch golf

If you want to elevate your BMW Aus PGA experience in 2024, Tillerman on 18 offers the best seafood in Brisbane, and you won’t miss any of the on-course action.

Turning first

First players are through nine holes at Royal Queensland, South African Aldrich Potgieter making four birdies in his past five holes playing the back nine to turn in 3-under 32. David Micheluzzi and Will Bruyeres also teed off on 10 and have headed to the front nine at 2-under 33.

Fan fare

Bundamba’s Toby Evers is all in as a Min Woozy fan. Home-made, one-off T-shirt.

Fun Freddy facts

Currently one shot off the lead, Freddy Schott was playing off scratch at the age of 13 and at 16 years of age, partnered DP World Tour legend Marcel Siem in Germany’s Golf-Bundesliga for their home club.

Party getting started

It’s early and overcast but the party is starting to build at the Dabble Party Hole. All three players in the feature group walk away with par.

Not so sweet 16

While Jason Day makes birdie to move to 2-under, it is a dropped shot for Cam Smith at the par-4 16th. Smith needed two chips to get up onto the putting surface after falling foul of the deep hollow in the middle of the green. Bunker off the tee, two chips and a bogey who drops back to even par.

Shot, Freddy

The DP World Tour players are showing an early liking to Royal Queensland. Germany’s Freddy Schott birdies the sixth hole to join Lee and Neergaard-Petersen at 3-under. Marc Leishman has birdied his last two holes and is one of five players at 2-under.

Cam Smith doing Cam Smith things

From the rough left side and 60m out on 15, Smith lasers a pinpoint wedge from wet grass to one metre to set up birdie.

Direct feed

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen working really hard for some TV time on 15th. One of just a few players not to make birdie early at the par 5.

The champ is here

Min Woo Lee is on a roll. That’s birdie on 13 now. His approach to two feet was superb. It is almost a tap-in to go to 3-under after just four holes.

Get to know Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen

For those unfamiliar with the Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen phenomenon, the Danish golfer won three times on the Challenge Tour this year. He has started his debut DP World Tour season with three straight birdies to be tied with Min Woo Lee at the top of the leaderboard.

Lions spotted at Royal Queensland

Mixed fortunes on 12

The driveable 292m 12th is a wonderful, beguiling challenge at RQ with so many ways to play it.
You can take driver, a fairway metal or play an iron short. Min Woo Lee nearly drives the green with a fairway wood, displaying his wonderful touch to play a bump-and-run to inside a metre. He holes the birdie putt to move to 2-under, tied at the top with German Freddy Schott and Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

ICYMI

Both Smith and Day take driver off the tee at 12 and find the puddled trap right of the green. Smith seeks a ruling and can take a drop or rather place the ball on pure grass outside the bunker. That’s a break. He hits an exquisite chip to close range. Makes birdie and is back to even par. Deeper into the puddled trap, Day doesn’t want to risk a plugged ball with a drop. He plays from his original lie in the wet sand, catching his bunker shot a bit heavy. He has a long putt for birdie but must settle for par.

Order of Merit champion of two years ago, David Micheluzzi, jumps out to the early lead. With the honour of hitting the opening tee shot off the 10th tee, Micheluzzi has birdied the par-3 11th and par-4 12th to set a cracking early pace.

Min strikes first

Our first move… Min Woo Lee drains an eight-metre slider for birdie after a nice tee shot had fed left off the mid-green ridge. Day misses a shorter putt for his birdie while Smith misses his par save from nearly four feet and has to settle for bogey with a long strained look at the hole.

And we’re underway

Pars all around for Smith, Day and Lee at the par-4 10th. More than 400 fans were on hand flanking the fairway at 6:10am, Smith the only player with a genuine look at birdie. His putt from 10 metres came up just short as his playing partners both got up-and-down for pars.


Defending champion Min Woo Lee will have to fend off a field full of Australia’s best talent and an array of international raiders when the BMW Australian PGA Championship tees off at Royal Queensland Golf Club on Thursday.

Co-sanctioned between the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the DP World Tour, the first of Australia’s two majors marks the start of the 2025 DP World Tour season and a crucial week for those with local Order of Merit aspirations.

Among those returning to Royal Queensland are three-time champion Cameron Smith, who, off the back of an uncharacteristic missed cut in 2023 will be out for redemption, while Jason Day will be teeing it up in Australia for the first time since 2017. 

Smith’s Ripper GC teammates Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert are also among the headliners, Herbert hot off his recent Ford NSW Open win, his first on home soil. While Cam Davis rounds out the contingent of returning international playing stars, the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic winner keen to add a Kirkwood Cup to go alongside his Stonehaven Cup.

Twelve months ago, it was Lee who broke through and hoisted the Joe Kirkwood Cup, cruising to a three-stroke victory over Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, and he is back and ready to defend.

The young West Australian comes in at the tail-end of an exciting year that includes selection in the Australian Olympic and Presidents Cup teams and two runner-up finishes on the PGA TOUR.

“Obviously amazing memories,” Lee said of his 2023 win. “It seems like it was only a few months ago. The year’s gone really quick. I can’t believe it’s been a whole year but amazing feelings coming back.”

Despite a solid year on the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour, Lee is yet to notch a win this season and would love for one – or two – to come in the next two weeks.

“I know there’s a lot of skill and a little bit of luck that goes on during a tournament, but it seems like a couple of times it’s gone the other way,” he said of his near misses.

“Just being in a tournament that you are coming back to defend is a special feeling and especially being here on the grounds now, it’s cool.

“I’m going to go and try play as good as I can and hopefully get another trophy.”

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Min Woo Lee (WA)

PRIZEMONEY: $2,000,000

LIVE SCORES: www.pga.org.au

TV COVERAGE: The BMW Australian PGA Championship is available live on Channel 9 and 9Now, as well as Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.

*All times AEDT.

Round 1: Thursday, 12pm-5pm

Round 2: Friday, 12pm-5pm

Round 3: Saturday, 12pm-5pm

Final Round: Sunday, 12pm-5pm

THE COURSE

Home to this tournament for the last three years, Royal Queensland Golf Club was originally designed by three-time Australian Open champion, Carnegie Clark in 1920 with several modifications including advice from Dr Alistair Mckenzie on his visit in 1926.

More extreme changes to the course were required in 2007 when the construction of a new Gateway Bridge over the river meant Royal Queensland lost a large part of its original layout, with Mike Clayton the designer charged with the task of delivering a new and very different course in the banks of the Brisbane River.

A relatively flat piece of land, players are afforded width off the tee at ‘RQ’ and the opportunity to decide for themselves the best way to play each hole, which all feature sloping greens and tightly mown surrounds. Large bunkering a consistent feature throughout the par-71.

Measuring 6,479 metres, the short par-3 17th “Party Hole” will certainly deliver drama and excitement over the weekend.

HEADLINERS

Min Woo Lee — Defending champion and multiple DP World Tour winner

Cam Smith — 2022 Open Champion, captain of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League

Lucas Herbert — 2024 NSW Open champion, PGA TOUR and DP World Tour winner, member of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League

Jason Day — Former World no.1, 2015 US PGA Championship winner and 13-time PGA TOUR winner

Cam Davis — 2017 Australian Open champion and multiple PGA TOUR winner

Victor Perez — Three-time DP World Tour winner

David Micheluzzi — 2022/23 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner

Harry Higgs — Three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner and 2024 graduate to the PGA TOUR

Marc Leishman — Six-time PGA TOUR winner and member of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League

Kazuma Kobori — 2023/24 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner

Daniel Hillier — DP World Tour winner

Geoff Ogilvy — 2006 US Open champion, 2008 Australian PGA champion and 2010 Australian Open champion

Jack Buchanan — 2024 WA PGA and Webex Players Series South Australia champion

Phoenix Campbell — 2023 and 2024 Queensland PGA champion

Elvis Smylie — 2024 WA Open champion


Prestige liquor brand Moutai and Australia’s premier garden and lawncare specialist Scotts Lawncare have signed on as first-time partners of Australian golf’s major championships.

Known as China’s “national liquor”, Moutai will be an event partner at both the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland (November 21-24) and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt (November 28-December 1).

As part of their presence at the Open, the company’s flagship “Flying Fairy” baijiu will be available to sample at both Royal Queensland and Kingston Heath golf clubs across the four days of competition in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Dan Zhao, Brand and Marketing Manager of Moutai Australia, said: ‘Moutai is excited to deepen its presence in the Australian market, where an increasing number of consumers are discovering the unique craftsmanship of our 2000-year-old spirit.

“As Moutai continues to grow globally, we are proud to sponsor the BMW Australian PGA Championship and ISPS HANDA Australian Open, a partnership that reflects our commitment to excellence, precision, and tradition.

“Much like the game of golf, Moutai embodies the artistry and dedication that goes into mastering one’s craft. Through this collaboration, we aim to connect with Australians who appreciate both fine spirits and the rich cultural heritage that Moutai represents.

“This is just the beginning of a new chapter for Moutai in Australia, and we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences with our community.”

Meanwhile, Scotts Lawncare will be taking golf fans to their “happy place” at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

The on-site activation from Australia’s premier garden and lawncare specialist will be a feature of the elevated fan experience at the Open this year.

Scotts Happy Place, located in The 19th precinct at Kingston Heath, will reflect how much Aussies appreciate relaxing in their garden and highlight the synergies between taking care of your lawn and playing golf which both bring mental and physical wellbeing benefits.

Scotts Marketing Director Kerry Sephton said: “We’re excited to be a part of the Australian Open because we know that the golf community appreciates a beautiful healthy lawn.

“This world-class sporting event on the magnificent courses of Kingston Heath and The Victoria golf clubs is a demonstration of lawns at their very best and Scotts is here to help the home gardener to get a lush, healthy lawn to create their own Happy Place.”


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