Aussie young-gun Jake McLeod will be looking to build from his debut Major campaign at The 148^th Open, as he joins a star-studded field at the Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove Shootout this Sunday.

The 24-year-old will challenge decorated greats Nick O’Hern and Peter Senior for the $50,000 prize purse on The Pines Course in a limited 19-man field that boasts golfers returning from stints in Europe and Japan.

This unique event will showcase some of our most accomplished PGA Professionals including:

1. Adam Bland
2. Adam Blyth
3. Anthony Quayle
4. Brad Kennedy
5. Cory Crawford
6. David Bransdon
7. Deyen Lawson
8. Dylan Perry
9. Jake McLeod
10. Marcus Fraser
11. Matthew Millar
12. Michael Sim
13. Mike Hendry
14. Nick O’Hern
15. Peter Senior
16. Sam Brazel
17. Steven Jeffress
18. Terry Price
19. Travis Smyth

Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove Shootout will follow a unique format that is expected to excite fans.

The full field will take to the first tee, with the highest scoring player from each hole to be eliminated. By the 17^th hole, the field be reduced to just two professionals, with the last players battling it out on the 18^th to become the Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove Shootout champion.

McLeod said he was excited to be returning home to play in his first Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove Shootout on The Pines Course following a brilliant debut outing at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

“It was an incredible experience playing with the world’s best golfers at The 148^th Open. While it wasn’t the result I wanted, I learnt a lot playing in my first Major,” McLeod said.

“Returning from Northern Ireland to play at Sanctuary Cove is a great way for me to prepare for a big second half of the year.

“The Shootout has put together a really impressive field. The knockout format makes it exciting. I am hoping I can get through the first few holes and, who knows, hopefully, I can build some momentum to go all the way.”

Last year’s winner, Adam Blyth, is looking forward to defending his title on one of his favourite golf courses in Queensland.

“Coming in as the defending champion certainly has a different feel to it,” Blyth said.

“I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of going back-to-back. But, as is the case in the shootout, one bad hole is all you need to be heading straight back to the clubhouse.

“That’s the uniqueness of this format. You have to temper your aggression to make sure you’re there at the 18^th hole. It’s a pretty cool concept.”

Paul Sanders, Executive General Manager of Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, said they have made some improvements this year to make the event even better.

“We have introduced ‘gimmies’ this year within 60cm to speed up play and encourage the guys to hit it in close,” said Sanders.

“With the addition of a sponsor’s day the day prior, our members will have an opportunity to play alongside each of our professionals before they tee it up on Sunday.

“Unprecedented interest and support from fans and the PGA Professionals has allowed us to increase the prizemoney to $50,000. We hope the shootout grows each year to become a lucrative drawcard to some of the world’s great golfers.”

The Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove Shootout will start at 8:30am on Sunday 28^th July.