Victorian amateur David Micheluzzi will line-up in the biggest tournament of his burgeoning career when he tees it up at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course for the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways from 2-5 August.

Currently ranked 19^th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Micheluzzi is in the field courtesy of his win at the Australian Master of the Amateurs in January this year.

Micheluzzi recorded a dominant five-shot victory at Royal Melbourne Golf Club over the international field to be crowned the 2018 champion.

“I got the news of my start in the middle of the Australian Interstate Series and we had lost a match to South Australia that day so I was a bit down but when I heard I’m playing the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways I was over the moon,” said Micheluzzi, who went on to eventually win the 2018 Australian Interstate title with the Victorian squad.

“I’m very grateful to the PGA of Australia and Gavin Kirkman and the team and also to Peter Mann, the CEO of Master of the Amateurs, I didn’t really expect this would be possible, until a couple of days ago when I got told I could be in the field but now I’m in and I’m really excited.”

Nerves won’t be an issue for the 22-year-old who has played his fair share of professional tournaments and recorded a top-5 finish at the 2017 Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open.

However teeing it up alongside major champions such as Ernie Els and Vijay Singh is another beast entirely, particularly with international opportunities on offer thanks to the tournament’s tri-sanctioning with the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, European Tour and Asian Tour.

“To be in a tri-sanctioned European Tour and Asian Tour event is pretty cool and to play in that with some big players is neat,” added Micheluzzi.

“To get an opportunity to get my foot in the door in Europe is amazing, that’s where I want to be and where I want to be playing, it’d mean the world to me to get to that stage.”

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, said he looks forward to the star amateur taking full advantage of the playing opportunity.

“I’m excited to see how David will play at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways; his amateur career speaks for itself and I trust he’ll enjoy the chance to play in a field full of established golf stars,” said Kirkman.

“We’re proud to give this opportunity to the winner of the Australian Master of the Amateurs and I wish David all the best in Fiji.”

About the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways

To be held from 2-5 August 2018 the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course which boasts breathtaking views of the Coral Coast and is home to the Natadola Beach Land Estate. 

Enticed by the tropical destination, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways has attracted some of the world’s best golfers since its inaugural staging in 2014 including Fijian hero and three-time Major champion Vijay Singh, 2017 champion Jason Norris, 2016 champion Brandt Snedeker, 2015 champion Matt Kuchar, 2014 champion Steven Jeffress, Steven Bowditch, Boo Weekley and Nick Price.

This year’s tournament is set to feature four-time Major champion and Captain of the International Team for the 2019 Presidents Cup, Ernie Els.

In 2018, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways continues to have a global presence confirming its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour.

A Pacific paradise, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 8th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.

More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.

Owned by SEL and the PGA of Australia, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways is proudly supported by the Fijian Government, Tourism Fiji and the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament.