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Smylie upstages stars to lead BMW Australian PGA


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.”


Hannah Green’s ascension into the elite of world golf has been further acknowledged with a second Greg Norman Medal at the PGA Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday night.

More than 350 guests attended the glittering awards ceremony at Brisbane City Hall that serves as a precursor to the BMW Australian PGA Championship, with Green’s Greg Norman Medal win among a total of 10 awards presented throughout the evening.

The West Australian climbed to a career-high No.5 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking on the back of three LPGA Tour wins in 2024, the 27-year-old’s greatest single-season yield in her career to date.

Green won the Greg Norman Medal in 2019 when she had two wins – including the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – and was honoured to once again receive Australian golf’s highest accolade.

“It has undoubtedly been one of the best years of my career and to cap it with a second Greg Norman Medal makes it all the more special,” said Green, who was unable to attend the PGA Awards as she is playing the season-ending LPGA event in Florida this week.

“Any year in which you have a win is a good year so to have three in the one season is very satisfying – and I’d love to finish off with another one at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open next week.

“I would like to thank everyone in my team, my husband Jarryd, my family and friends for their support this year.

“I feel like I have taken a major step forward in 2024 and hope that I can finish off the year well and take that into 2025 and beyond.”

It took just two starts for Green to earn her first win of 2024, storming home to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Thailand in March.

She staged a successful defence of her JM Eagle LA Championship crown in April and became the first Australian since Karrie Webb in 2006 to notch three wins in a single LPGA season with a wire-to-wire win at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea.

On hand to accept the Greg Norman Medal on Green’s behalf was her coach, Ritchie Smith, who himself was named PGA National Coach of the Year – High Performance.

It is a fourth national win for Smith, who also received the High Performance gong in 2014, 2019 and 2021.

The Brisbane Golf Club’s Asha Flynn won the PGA National Coach of the Year – Game Development gong for the second year in succession while Catalina Club’s Rodney Booth was named 2024 PGA National Club Professional of the Year.

General Manager at Eastlake Golf Club, Robert Blain was awarded PGA National Management Professional of the Year and Ashley Marsay was named International Member of the Year for his contribution as Head Professional at San Francisco Golf Club.

Three-time winner and Order of Merit champion Kazuma Kobori was named Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year, LPGA Tour-bound Cassie Porter received her first Margie Masters WPGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year award and Andre Stolz was named PGA Legends Tour Player of the Year for the fourth straight year.

2024 PGA Awards winners

Greg Norman Medal: Hannah Green
PGA National Coach of the Year – High Performance: Ritchie Smith (Royal Fremantle GC)
PGA National Coach of the Year – Game Development: Asha Flynn (Brisbane GC)
PGA National Club Professional of the Year: Rodney Booth (Catalina Club G&CC)
PGA National Management Professional of the Year: Robert Blain (Eastlake GC)
MyGolf Deliverer of the Year: Jake Newbery (KDV Sport)
International Member of the Year: Ashley Marsay (San Francisco Golf Club)
Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year: Kazuma Kobori
Margie Masters WPGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year: Cassie Porter
Legends Tour Player of the Year: Andre Stolz

Past 5 Greg Norman Medal winners

2023: Minjee Lee
2022: Cameron Smith
2021: Minjee Lee
2020: Cameron Smith
2019: Hannah Green


Cam Davis’s week at the BMW Australian PGA Championship didn’t get off to the perfect start – his luggage went missing following his flight from the United States – but it’s how he finishes his week in Queensland that really counts.

The only Aussie to be victorious on the PGA TOUR this year would love to end 2024 by claiming the Joe Kirkwood Cup for the first time at Royal Queensland or add his name to the Stonehaven Cup for a second time at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne next week.

In the opening two rounds at the PGA he will get an up-close look at two of the other expected key contenders in a feature group with NSW Open champion Lucas Herbert and France’s Victor Perez

“I want to play my best,” the Sydneysider said of his approach to two big weeks back in his homeland.

“I feel like every tournament I tee it up in, I want to play my best, but there’s just a little extra desire to play well at home.

“I don’t try and put any extra pressure on myself, but I’m definitely trying to bring my best golf to each week that I play, whether it’s this week or next week.

“I’m really looking forward to two weeks with familiar accents around me and familiar golf courses. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Davis finished T7 at Royal Queensland last year, nine shots behind Min Woo Lee, and plans to be as aggressive as possible off the tee this week.

“There’s a lot of little bunkers that if you find them it’s a lot of trouble, but if you are aggressive off the tee and by hitting the driver pretty long, it really opens this place up to a lot easier shots into the greens,” he said

“Because the fairways are very wide I don’t feel like it’s super difficult to hit them, but you just want to avoid the little pot bunkers around the fairways and then it’s just putting.

“The last few years I’ve actually hit the ball pretty well, but you just have a couple of days where the putts don’t go in.”

Davis tees off at 11.10am (Qld time) in round one.


Queenstown local Ben Campbell is looking to make the most of his home-course advantage when the New Zealand Open, presented by Sky Sport, returns to Queenstown next year.

Campbell hopes his intimate knowledge of the two Millbrook Resort courses will give him the edge to claim the championship.

Campbell, who plies his trade across the Asian Tour and LIV Golf, has played some of his best golf at the New Zealand Open in recent years but has yet to see his name on the trophy and says he’s hoping to lean on his past experiences and local knowledge to gain a competitive edge over the rest of the field.

“It’s great having the New Zealand Open here in Queenstown. It’s my home, and it’s a real honour to be able to play in an internationally recognised event on my home course,” he said.

“I’ve gone really close on a few occasions, which has really helped push my game, mentally and technically, to the next level. It’s now about preparation and leaning on my knowledge of the course to hopefully be in the running once again.”

Campbell was part of the dramatic three-way playoff in 2017 when eventual winner Michael Hendry became the first Kiwi in 14 years to claim the title. Since then, international players have dominated the top spot on the leaderboard, a streak that Campbell is looking to break.

“There is always a good local crowd out supporting me and I am really looking forward to teeing it up again next year. The goal is to have my name as the next Kiwi on the trophy and I will be doing everything I can to make that happen.”

Tournament Director Michael Glading believes Campbell has the talent and experience to be the next New Zealand Open champion, and is excited to see him attack the championship courses at Millbrook Resort come February.

“Ben is a fantastic ambassador not only for Queenstown but for the New Zealand Open. He is always promoting the region and our event wherever he goes. To have him committed to the event is a real plus for us as an exciting player who will  no doubt have a huge amount of local support.”

The 104th New Zealand Open will tee off at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown between February 27 and March 2, 2025. For more information, please visit nzopen.com


Some of the biggest names in Queensland sport will show off their golfing talents when they join the professionals from the BMW Australian PGA Championship in Wednesday’s pro-am at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

The list of celebrities teeing it up includes Brisbane Lions AFL premiership-winning duo Cam Rayner and Will Ashcroft, Brisbane Broncos NRL captain Adam Reynolds, the Dolphins’ Tonga representative Isaiya Katoa, Brisbane Heat cricketers Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant and Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry.

There are also two Queensland State of Origin legends in Cameron Smith and Paul Vautin who will feature in the same group with DP World Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia professional Daniel Gale and recently retired Broncos and Maroons winger Corey Oates.

The sporting stars are all in the morning field which tees off at 7am (Qld time) where they will be joined on the course by marquee players Jason Day, Cam Smith, Min Woo Lee, Cam Davis, Marc Leishman, Victor Perez and Jordan Smith.

The afternoon wave at 1pm (Qld time) is highlighted by Harry Higgs, Lucas Herbert, the past two Challenger PGA Tour of Order of Merit winners Kazuma Kobori and David Micheluzzi and former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Entrance to the pro-am is free for the general public and a great chance to see the stars up close before they reach round one of the $2 million championship on Thursday.

Free parking is available at Curtin Ave West, under the Gateway Bridge.

The BMW Australian PGA Championship will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo, as well as the NINE Network/9NOW.

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.

Draw: https://championship.pga.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pro-Am-Draw-2024-BMW-Australian-PGA-Championship.pdf


Australian brand SParms has joined Australia Golf’s commitment to championing a sun safety revolution by becoming the Official Sun Protection Supplier for the upcoming two Aussie majors, the BMW Australian PGA Championship and ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

SParms is renowned for its commitment to producing high quality wearable sun protection gear and more recently organic sunscreen ideal for wearing on the golf course.

Its iconic sun protection arm sleeves are already used by a wide range of players on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.

For this summer’s majors, the sleeves have been added to the uniform for volunteers and staff in a bid to minimise the risks associated with prolonged UV exposure.

They will be protected from over 99.8% of UV rays where SParms UPF50+ certified products are worn. SParms’ proprietary material will also help keep them cool while they are on the golf course.

PGA of Australia and Golf Australia Chief Commercial Officer Michael McDonald said: “We are dedicated to equipping golfers, young and old, with better education and solutions to the dangers of prolonged UV exposure that every golfer faces.

“We are excited to work with SParms, an Australian-owned company promoting sun safety on and off the golf course.

“With about two in every three Australians diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70, the importance of sun protection for golfers is something we are keen to lend our voice to alongside a trusted brand in SParms as a leader in the sun protection sleeves market.”

The SParms range has changed the way hundreds of athletes and, in particular, professional golfers around the world from all tours protect themselves from the harsh UV rays of the sun.

Australian golf legend Karrie Webb said: “It’s so great to see that Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia is leading the way in taking greater measures to protect golfers from the harsh UV rays.

“As golfers are out in the sun all day, it’s so important that our sporting bodies recognise and bring awareness to better ways to keep sun safe. 

“With SParms, golfers, event staff and volunteers will have peace of mind that their arms will stay protected whilst staying cool.”

Photo: SParms ambassador Daniel Gale


ISPS HANDA Australian Open-bound Karl Vilips has been named the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year as voted by Korn Ferry Tour membership.

Vilips turned professional out of Stanford University after a No.10 finish in the 2024 PGA TOUR University Ranking.

He began his professional career on PGA TOUR Americas, making two starts prior to his Korn Ferry Tour debut in July as a sponsor exemption at The Ascendant presented by Blue, the 17th event of the Tour’s 26-event season.

Vilips, who held conditional Korn Ferry Tour membership via PGA TOUR University performance benefits, played his way into The Ascendant with a runner-up finish in the Korn Ferry Tour member division of a qualifying tournament, through which the event awarded four of its five sponsor exemptions.

The 23-year-old Australian posted back-to-back top-25s in his first two Korn Ferry Tour starts, followed by a runner-up finish at the NV5 Invitational, and a win at the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health in what were his third and fourth starts on Tour.

Vilips won the Utah Championship at 22 years, 11 months, and 19 days of age, making him the second-youngest winner on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, only behind South African Aldrich Potgieter, who became the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour history at 19 years, 4 months, 11 days of age.

Vilips and Potgieter were the only rookie winners on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, in addition to being the only Korn Ferry Tour rookies who earned PGA TOUR membership for the 2025 season.

They will both feature on the Summer of Golf in Australia this month with Vilips playing the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and Potgieter the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

Vilips needed just 10 starts to finish No. 19 on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List and earn PGA TOUR membership. Vilips tallied seven top-25s in his 10 starts, including a T20 at the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance.

Vilips also followed Adrien Dumont de Chassart (2023) as the second player to join the Korn Ferry Tour via PGA TOUR University performance benefits and earn a PGA TOUR card in the same season.

In four seasons at Stanford, Vilips earned a 2024 All-America Second Team honor, three All-Pac-12 Conference laurels (First Team in 2023 and 2024, Second Team in 2022), and earned his lone collegiate victory at the 2024 Pac-12 Championship.

Vilips concluded his collegiate career ranked No. 5 in Stanford history in career scoring average (71.04), trailing Tiger Woods (70.96), Michael Thorbjornsen (70.40), Patrick Rodgers (70.31) and school record holder Maverick McNealy (70.12).

Vilips, who has one previous start on the PGA TOUR (2023 U.S. Open), will be a TOUR rookie in 2025.

Winners of the Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year: Karl Vilips (2024), Adrien Dumont de Chassart (2023), S.H. Kim (2022), Greyson Sigg (2020-21), Scottie Scheffler (2019), Sungjae Im (2018).

Pic credit: Getty Images


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