The Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council celebrates its 10^th year of competition at City Golf Club in 2019 and is set to welcome two of its most recent champions back to the tournament.

Reigning champion Daniel Fox is thrilled to return to City Golf Club in strong form following last year’s win, optimistic that he can continue his recent string of strong results.

“It’s quite special,” said Fox.

“Now that I’m coming back to the same course again, where you have had a win has its advantages so I can plot the way I want to go about attacking the course.

“It’s a good feeling; I’m in a bit of form after last week in Perth so I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” added Fox, who finished tied 26th at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

“It’s a bit more of a golf course that will suit me. It’s a bit shorter and you need to be pretty accurate so I fancy my chances.”

Returning as reigning champion will add no extra pressure for the West Australian who enjoys the laid-back atmosphere of the tournament.

“No, not really,” he said of the pressure.

“It’s surprising; it feels like longer than a year ago that I actually won the tournament.

“Last year will still always be there but this year it’s a chance to start something new again for 2019.

“This week here, it’s a bit more relaxing,” says Fox who has competed in two European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia co-sanctioned tournaments over the past two weeks.

“It’s a different sort of vibe about the place so I think everything’s sort of a bit more measured.

“It still won’t be easy by any stretch but from my point of view it’s a bit more manageable.”

Fox is not the only player with the advantage of course knowledge in 2019 as 2016 victor Daniel Pearce returns with hopes of adding his name to the winner’s list once again on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

Recording his first professional win at the 2017 Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship, Pearce went on to finish tied for 5th place at the 2017 Fiji International before starting his year on a high in 2018 with a 6th place finish at the REBEL Sport Masters. This week marks the start of his 2019 campaign.

Following his QLD PGA Championship win in 2011, New Zealander Gareth Paddison has found luck in Victoria, winning the 2012 and 2014 Victorian PGA Championship.

Making it through to the match play on Sunday at the 2019 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, Paddison carries form into the 2019 QLD PGA Championship and looks hopeful of another strong result in Queensland.

While the following players won’t be teeing it up at City Golf Club this week, their QLD PGA victories hold a special place in their careers.

Germany’s David Klein has been marred by injury since winning the QLD PGA Championship in 2016, suffering from a disc bulging in his back caused by Schuerermann’s Disease.

Going on to secure his card on the European Tour following his win in 2015, former champion Ryan Fox recently won the largest tournament of his professional career at the 2019 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

Cementing his status on the European Tour for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Fox has proven to be one of New Zealand’s best golfing exports having recorded a string of strong results since winning in Toowoomba four years ago.

Parramatta local Anthony Summers has focussed on his teaching career since his QLD PGA Championship win in 2014, going on to win events on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series most recently in 2018.

Queenslander and 2013 winner Brad Kennedy regularly plies his trade on the lucrative Japan Golf Tour recording his most recent win at the 2018 Sega Sammy Cup.

Having got his 2019 season off to a strong start, Brad Kennedy recorded a runner-up result at the ISPS HANDA Vic Open and a 10th place finish at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

In a change of pace, 2012 champion Andrew Tschudin has turned his focus to caddying for up and coming golf star Cameron Davis on the US PGA TOUR.

Having first caddied for the young Australian when he won the Australian Open in 2017, Tschudin has continued to support the New South Welshman since and will provide his expertise this week at the Peurto Rico Open.

Winning the first QLD PGA Championship played at City Golf Club in 2009, the tournament acted as a springboard for Steven Bowditch who went on to record victories on the PGA TOUR.

Winning locally at the 2010 NSW PGA Championship before turning his focus overseas, Bowditch won the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson tournament, as well as the 2014 Valero Texas Open and continues to play in the United States.

The Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council tees off on 21 February, 2019 at City Golf Club, where former champions Darren Beck, Andrew Bonhomme, Kurt Barnes, Andre Stolz, Nathan Green and two-time winner Terry Price also join the field.

For the full list of winners visit pga.org.au.

2018 – Daniel Fox

2017 – Daniel Pearce

2016 – David Klein

2015 – Ryan Fox

2014 – Anthony Summers

2013 – Brad Kennedy

2012 – Andrew Tschudin

2011 – Gareth Paddison

2010 – was not played

2009 – Steven Bowditch