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.

Former World Number 1 and one of Fiji’s greatest sportsmen Vijay Singh has again shown his commitment to his home tournament and signed on for his fifth straight appearance at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways.

Singh joins good friend and fellow World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els in the field for the 2018 edition to be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 2-5 August 2018.

The pair has shared many sterling contests on the golf course, none more prominent than The Masters in 2000 where Singh defeated ‘The Big Easy’ by three shots to claim the coveted Green Jacket.

They have also played alongside one another in numerous Presidents Cup tournaments representing the International Team, of which Els was named Captain for the 2019 edition at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

“I’m looking forward to meeting up with Ernie in Fiji, he and I have travelled the world together as professionals, so it will be nice to show him my home country,” said Singh.

“We’ve had some good memories together on the golf course; we’ve played a lot of Presidents Cups together including the International’s win in 1998.

“He’s a close friend of mine but come round one at the Fiji International, I certainly won’t be holding anything back and I don’t expect him to either, it’s hard to scale back that competitive streak we both have.”

The proud Fijian has been a vocal supporter of the tournament since its inception in 2014 and had a hand in the initial design of the Natadola Bay Championship Course as well as its re-design in 2017.

He has also designed the Desaru Coast Valley Course at The Els Club in Malaysia, a sought-after golfing destination made up of three courses, the two others designed by Ernie Els.

“I was very excited to work with Ernie at The Els Club, I’m sure when he plays at Natadola he’ll notice some similarities between my work here and over in Malaysia.

“He has a keen eye for course architecture so I hope he enjoys the course in Fiji.”

Singh has made the cut in all four of his Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways appearances, his best to date a third place in the 2015 edition.

This year he has already returned to the winner’s circle recording a one-shot victory in the Toshiba Classic on the PGA TOUR Champions in March.

“It definitely feels good to get a win so early in the season,” added Singh.

“I’m definitely not done yet and will challenge this year in the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways.”

Singh is a wonderful ambassador for Fiji overseas and is warmly welcomed home each year for the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways.

“The Fiji International would be incomplete without Vijay and we look forward to welcoming him back once again in 2018,” said the Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources, the Honourable Faiyaz Siddiq Koya.

“Having an athlete of Vijay Singh’s calibre and repute playing in the tournament for the last four years adds value to the status of the tournament and will be a good incentive for other players to play alongside him. The Fiji International will definitely be a must-attend event and we look forward to a good round of competitive golf come August,” the Hon. Minister added.

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, said Singh’s continued presence at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways speaks volumes of his commitment to golf in his home country.

“We are excited to see Vijay Singh in action once again at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways,” said Kirkman.

“He’s a marvellous player, course architect and ambassador for Fiji; I look forward to seeing Vijay and his good friend Ernie Els in action.”