This year up to 15 lucky fans will tee it up against some of the world’s best at RACV Royal Pines Resort’s par-3 16^th hole, where the first person, amateur or pro, to score a hole-in-one will win the full $1 million prize.

Providing a whole new level of inside the ropes access at the Australian PGA Championship, participants will be selected at random from the field of entrants to fly to the Gold Coast, stay at RACV Royal Pines Resort and take part in the competition in round three on Saturday 21 December.

The SONIQ Million Dollar Hole competition will see an amateur contestant aligned with each group of professionals in the field at the PGA Championship’s party hole, the 16^th. Professionals will have the opportunity to tee off first, followed by the amateur with the aim of scoring a hole-in-one to win.

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, which also owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, believes the revised competition will further boost the exciting atmosphere at the Australian PGA Championship.

“$1 million is an incredible prize and there is no better place to have it on offer for both our fans and professionals to win than at the 16^th hole at the Australian PGA Championship,” Kirkman said.

“This year’s SONIQ Million Dollar Hole competition is slightly different to previous years and it is fantastic that our fans are now able to get involved and have a chance at hitting the hole-in-one themselves.

“No other sport allows fans to play alongside their heroes which is the greatest thing about golf.

“The Australian PGA Championship has grown and evolved in recent years to become a festival of golf so to have our fans in amongst the action on what is perhaps the course’s most exciting hole is fitting.”

SONIQ’s General Manager Song Su cannot hide his excitement towards this year’s SONIQ Million Dollar Hole competition.

“This is the fourth year of The SONIQ Million Dollar Hole competition at the Australian PGA Championship. We would love to see a fan or a pro to take the $1 million dollar prize home,” Su said.

“The Australian PGA Championship is not just about competition, it is a festival for all. We are thrilled to be part of the PGA event and cannot wait to see what pros and fans can do this year.

“What an incredible experience it will be for golf fans, especially for juniors to be able to tee off with the world’s best golfers, or even their aspiring idols, if they are lucky enough.”

The SONIQ Million Dollar Hole is open to golfers of all ages and handicaps, including juniors, who if chosen, will have the chance to line-up alongside the likes of Cameron Smith and Adam Scott.

The new prize has gained the excitement of professionals, particularly those who have come close in the past.

Pro Jarryd Felton fell agonisingly short last year, grazing the flag in his attempt for a lucrative ace.

“The SONIQ Million Dollar Hole competition at the 16^th hole is always really exciting to be a part of, so the increase of the prize to one million dollars is really taking it to the next level,” Felton said.

“I got so close last year when I hit the flag so I can’t wait to get back to RACV Royal Pines and see if I can hole it this time around. I know it’s achievable which makes me even hungrier to win.

“It’s great that the fans are able to join us on the tee this year and have a go at getting the hole in one themselves.

“It’s a great opportunity and I know if I was a fan it would be the best Christmas present to be able to be out there with the pros, but they’ll need to bring their best shot because it’s a tricky one.”

If a hole-in-one is not achieved, entrants will not go home empty-handed as the participant who gets closest to the pin will win a brand new SONIQ TV.

Golf fans of all ages are encouraged to enter via the form on the Australian PGA Championship website where fans need to enter their details to enter.