Brandt Snedeker is Gold Coast bound for the Australian PGA Championship and is the first of a series of big names expected to tee up at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

World Number 30 Snedeker, will make his only Australian appearance during the Australian summer of golf in Queensland from 3-6 December and his first on the PGA Tour of Australasia in eight years. 

Snedeker will be eagerly awaited on the first tee after fans were excited to see him compete in the 2013 Australian PGA Championship before a Segway accident forced him to withdraw.   

"I’m excited to finally get to the Gold Coast in December, I have always enjoyed playing golf down under, it’s a pretty spot and the fans are always so welcoming," said Snedeker.

"I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to make the trip in 2013 but I will be steering clear of Segway’s so that I can give winning the title my best shot."

Snedeker has enjoyed a golden season in 2015, after making swing changes with his coach Butch Harmon, he recorded his seventh PGA TOUR title at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am which he followed up with a further five top-10 finishes and a tied 12th at the PGA Championship won by Jason Day.

Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia, said Brandt’s trip to the Gold Coast would be well received by fans and complement the strong European Tour field anticipated to make the trip.

"Brandt was a hotly anticipated player by fans in 2013 and so we are pleased that now he is fit and healthy he is able to make the trip to compete in the Australian PGA Championship," said Thorburn.

"He is truly a world class competitor; his season in the US this year has been remarkable but this is a regular occurrence for Snedeker who also won the FedEx Cup in 2012."

"With the European Tour opening their entries on Monday we are expecting to see a number of other quality European players joining Snedeker on the Gold Coast."

He will bring his golden form with him to the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort, which is not only the richest tournament in 2015 with a prize pool of $1.75M but it will also play host to a $1 Million prize hole – a feature not seen in Australian golf since the early 80’s. On Sunday 6 December those competing in the final round of the tournament will have the chance to win a million dollars by making a hole in one on the 16th hole.

"The million dollar hole is something we are incredibly excited to introduce and we believe that the addition of the opportunity for players to make a million dollars by hitting a hole in one on the Sunday of the tournament will also be a crowd favourite," said Thorburn.

"The 16th hole will have a bar, viewing platforms and seating areas for fans to really enjoy the atmosphere for the whole four days."

The tournament will also see the unveiling of Graham Marsh’s $10M redevelopment of the course at RACV Royal Pines Resort, which is now completed.

"The course is looking outstanding and we want to thank both RACV for their investment in the course changes and Graham Marsh for his outstanding design and development supervision. We are anticipating
some great golf being played out between 3 – 6 December," said Thorburn.

Tickets for the tournament are now on sale at Ticketek with children 16 years and under admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Discounts are also available for members of RACV and affiliated motoring clubs as well as for Gold Coast residents.

Visit the Australian PGA Championship website for further details.

The Australian PGA Championship is Australia’s richest golf tournament in 2015 being played for AU$1.75million and co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour.

The Championship is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as well as the City of Gold Coast and Gold Coast Tourism.