World Number 6 Minjee Lee has become the first woman to win Australian golf’s most prestigious individual honour; the Greg Norman Medal.

Australia’s best performing, male or female, golfer on the international stage in 2018, Lee is the third recipient of the medal following Jason Day in 2015 and 2016 and Marc Leishman in 2017.

“I’m humbled to have won such a prestigious award alongside two amazing golfers already in Marc and Jason,” said Lee.

“It’s a great honour, Greg is arguably one of the greatest golfers to ever come out of Australia so to win an award attached to his name is really special.

“I’ve had a great 2018 season and this is a really nice way to be acknowledged for that, thanks to my team for their hard work throughout the year, hopefully we can have a bigger and better one next year.”

Beginning the 2018 season ranked 19th in the world, West Australian Lee got her year off to a flying start winning the Vic Open for a second time by a commanding five shots.

She was close to back-to-back wins in Australia finishing runner-up at the ActewAGL Canberra Classic followed by a top-5 finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open.

Lee recorded a further four top-10’s on the LPGA Tour including 2nd at the Mediheal Championship before winning the Volvik Championship.

This win ignited a blistering run of form with Lee recording six finishes inside the top-4 to reach the ranking of World Number 5, having started the year ranked 19th.

Minjee cemented her outstanding performance this year as the best performing Australian female in all Majors and the Race to CME Globe final standings.

Greg Norman couldn’t be on the Gold Coast for the Awards Ceremony but sent Lee a video message.

“Australian professional golf has seen a successful year, with notable performances from both our male and female players around the world,” said Norman.

“We have seen the emergence of some great young players, making their name in the US and Europe, and seen many of our established players continue their successful careers.

“One nominee for the Greg Norman Medal this year stood out above the rest.

“Two tournament wins, one in Australia at the Vic Open, and one on the LPGA tour at the Volvik Championship, outstanding performances in all major championship events, and a fifth place standing on the Race to CME Globe, her ranking moved from 19th to 5th in the world.

“It is my honour to announce the first female recipient of the Greg Norman Medal, by virtue of her success in 2018 is Minjee Lee.”

“I’m honoured to announce Minjee Lee as the 2018 Greg Norman Medal winner.”

The evening also saw members of the professional golf circuit, corporate world and golf community gather to celebrate the achievements of both vocational and tour PGA Professionals.

The other awards presented on the evening included:  

PGA Club Professional of the Year
Adam Norlander – Headland Golf Club – QLD

PGA Coach of the Year
Khan Pullen – Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation – NSW

PGA Management Professional of the Year
Gary Booby – The Ridge Golf Course and Driving Range – NSW

PGA Game Development Professional of the Year
Jason Laws – Newcastle Golf Club – NSW

PGA National Trainee of the Year 
Cooper Ecclestone – Victoria Park Golf Complex – QLD

ALPG Player of the Year
Minjee Lee – WA

Legends Tour Player of the Year
Brad Burns – QLD

ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year
Matt Millar – ACT

The Greg Norman Medal Dinner, which is proudly supported by the City of Gold Coast, tees off the PGA’s flagship tournament, the Australian PGA Championship, at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from 29 November – 2 December.

Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston will headline a stellar list of Australian and international players who will compete for the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

The 2018 tournament will feature an array of entertainment on and off the course, but it’s the Million Dollar Hole where the tournament really comes alive. While players aim to ace their way to a big pay day, fans will be celebrating in the sun with great food, music and entertainment.

The Australian PGA Championship is one of the PGA of Australia’s flagship events; co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. The tournament honour roll features an incredible list of past champions including Cameron Smith (2017), Harold Varner III (2016) Adam Scott (2013) Greg Chalmers (2014 & 2011), Peter Senior (2010) and Geoff Ogilvy (2008).

The Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as well as the City of Gold Coast and Gold Coast Tourism proudly supports the Australian PGA Championship.

* Ticket prices include GST. Transaction fees apply. Please note the booking terms and conditions when purchasing your tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au

World Cup representative Marc Leishman believes a day dedicated each summer to the memory of Jarrod Lyle could grow to rival that of the Sydney ‘Pink Test’ as players and fans prepare to flood RACV Royal Pines Resort with a sea of yellow for Thursday’s opening round of the Australian PGA Championship.

Leishman and World Cup teammate Cameron Smith made a special appearance at Royal Pines on Monday to try and raise money for Challenge – the cancer support network that became synonymous with Lyle’s battle with leukaemia – by hitting targets worth $500, $1,000 and $2,000.

After a quick calibration and change of clubs – Leishman used 4-iron and Smith 5-iron to a target some 130 metres away – both took three shots each but missed narrowly on each occasion, sponsor Tag Heuer donating $5,000 to Challenge on their behalf.

Since his passing in August the golf community worldwide has rallied to support Lyle’s wife Briony and their two daughters and that will continue throughout the week at the Australian PGA Championship.

Thursday in particular will hold special significance and in the same way the Sydney cricket Test has become the ‘Pink Test’ in support of the McGrath Foundation and breast cancer research, Leishman sees no reason why a day each summer can’t be turned yellow to continue Lyle’s legacy and support children fighting cancer.

“We could definitely do something like that,” said Leishman.

“Obviously what happened to Jane McGrath was terrible and the Sydney Test match and all of Australian cricket supports the McGrath Foundation so there’s no reason why we can’t do that.

“I think it’s going to get bigger and better every year.

“It’s just nice to keep Jarrod in our memory, to keep Briony and their girls in our thoughts and help them however they need it.

“This is a very good start and it would be nice if we could raise some more money for a great cause.

“It could get pretty big and raise a lot of money for Challenge.”

Honouring Lyle in such a way has the support of Challenge CEO David Rogers who, after forming a close bond with Lyle throughout his journey, has now taken it upon himself to ensure one of Australian golf’s most beloved figures is never forgotten.

“When he came back to golf the second time he was surprised at the level of support he received because he would say that he was ‘just a golfer’. But he was so much more than that,” said Rogers.

“It’s incumbent upon me to make sure that Jarrod’s mark continues and we actively promote his legacy of always wanting to find ways to help people.

“I now need to walk and talk some of hat the big man did and continue to make sure that he’s not forgotten.”

The ‘Lyle Mile’ that has been running for the past two weeks will culminate at the par-5 3rd this week and fans will be able to purchase merchandise from the Leuk the Duck tent set up in the tournament village near the practice putting green.

Caught short without a yellow shirt on this trip back to Australia, Leishman will sport a Leuk the Duck pin in his cap again this week as he has done each time he has played since his friend’s passing.

“We only found out about it a week ago so I unfortunately don’t have any yellow,” Leishman explained.

“It’s only because I don’t have any (yellow shirts), it’s not that I’m choosing not to wear it. I’ll wear a shirt with a yellow logo on it from last week.

“I was great friends with Jarrod and it is nice to be able to support a cause that he was so close with and meant so much to him.”

There’s more than a Mars Bar at stake this week.

Days after Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson faced off for a $US9 million prize purse, Jake McLeod and Anthony Quayle will resume a long-standing rivalry that was at its fiercest during their later years at high school.

Back then a Mars Bar they couldn’t afford was deemed a rich reward.

This week a life-changing opportunity to play one of the world’s most lucrative tours goes on the line.

Room-mates at the famed Hills International School that also put the finishing touches on the games of Jason Day and Adam Scott, McLeod and Quayle are currently first and third on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit heading into the final event of the year, the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Co-sanctioned with the European Tour, a win would earn either of them exemption onto one of the world’s richest tours while the player crowned the 2018 Order of Merit winner will also earn European Tour status for the next 12 months.

It’s a far cry from their high school days just a few years ago but according to Quayle those early battles on the fairways had all the intensity that will be on display over 72 holes this week.

“At high school we didn’t have any money so we probably played for a Mars Bar here and there that we would somehow get for free out of the pro shop,” Quayle recalled ahead of his Australian PGA Championship debut.

“It was pretty even out there,” added McLeod. “We used to try and not go head-to-head too much; we’d try and take on all the other kids and take all their money.

“We used to take a bit of their money too which was good.”

“Nowadays we might go out and have a $20 game, something like that,” said Quayle.

“I played with him at Royal Queensland which is his home course and we played off the back tees. I think the course record might be 6-under and I shot 4-under which I thought was pretty good and he went out and shot 7-under and got me by three.

“He got my $20 that day.”

“I was pretty happy with that. It was nice to get a free steak burger out of him,” McLeod joked.

Hailing from Townsville and Gove in the Northern Territory respectively before arriving at Hills, McLeod and Quayle have both enjoyed breakout seasons as professionals.

McLeod recently recorded his first win as a professional at the AV Jennings NSW Open while Quayle retained his playing privileges on the Japan Golf Tour after registering five top-25 finishes that included a runner-up at The Crowns in his rookie year.

A Gold Coast local, Quayle would love nothing more than to emulate McLeod’s recent triumph at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club and record his first win as a professional in front of family and friends, using his good mate’s success partly as motivation.

“Firstly, I’m pumped for him, I couldn’t be happier for him,” said Quayle, who along with Aaron Wilkin stayed around to shower McLeod with champagne on the 18th green to help celebrate his NSW Open win.

“You see one of your good mates that excited and that happy and achieve something that’s pretty hard to achieve so I was just really excited for him.

“Afterwards you see that he’s winning and you have the golfer in you that wants to be doing the same thing.

“I think it’s a pretty healthy thing to have. There’s a bit of one-upmanship so I think a win this week might just clip him and then he would probably be feeling the same thing moving forward and trying to one-up me again down the track.”

Currently $14,491 ahead of second-placed Daniel Nisbet on the Order of Merit and $45,549 clear of third-placed Quayle, in the space of two tournaments McLeod has quickly gone from the hunter to the hunted.

The 24-year-old shot 66 in the final round of the Emirates Australian Open to finish third and knows that a successful week at Royal Pines has the potential to significantly impact his career.

“I had a look (at the Order of Merit) after the Aussie Open to see what was going on but I tried not to look at it after that. Everyone knows what’s going on there,” McLeod said.

“Hopefully it doesn’t change what I do this week. I’ve got full status on the Asian Tour next year, which is good, but you still feel a bit of pressure around the opportunity to get a European Tour card.

“The top two spots get the two WGC events as well which is obviously a bonus.

“There’s a few Mars Bars on the line this week that’s for sure.”

The 2019 Australian PGA Championship will be played from 19-22 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

A revision in scheduling will see the tournament close out the Australian summer of golf the week after the President’s Cup.

Since it’s move to the Gold Coast, the Australian PGA Championship has established itself as a festival of golf with a celebratory atmosphere which has been aided by its scheduling as the last event of the year.

Based on discussions with key tournament stakeholders including co-sanctioning partner, the European Tour, it was decided to close out the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia season with the Australian PGA Championship resulting in the change of date from that previously announced in November 2018.

“The Australian PGA Championship, when it is played from 19-22 December, will top off a huge three weeks of golf in Australia when it follows the Emirates Australian Open and The Presidents Cup,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“The Australian PGA Championship has been embraced by the players and sports fans for its fun atmosphere and we feel that it is important for it to be the final tournament of the year for us to deliver that experience expectation.”

The Australian PGA Championship week will begin with the Greg Norman Medal dinner on the Tuesday night where the highest achievers in the Australian golf industry are heralded for their accomplishments.

The fun then continues with the MyGolf Kids Day and the 16^th Hole Marquee party but the later date opens up the opportunity for people to enjoy Christmas celebrations at the golf. Going to a new level this year, additional festive activations will be added to the entertainment and corporate hospitality line-up in 2019.

While the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour players battle it out on course for the Joe Kirkwood Cup, the local Order of Merit race will also come to a conclusion with the winner of the Norman Von Nida Medal to be awarded following the Australian PGA Championship’s conclusion.

The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit provides a plethora of opportunities to the winner including full status on the European Tour, a start at The Open and various World Golf Championship tournaments.

“We have seen some thrilling conclusions to the Australian PGA Championship and the Order of Merit in recent years and feel that the atmosphere created on the Gold Coast is the perfect setting for them to be celebrated,” added Kirkman.

“This was one of the motivating factors in the change of date.”

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Australian PGA Championship which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

The Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 19 – 22 Dec with general admission to the Australian PGA Championship $25* when purchased at the gate or via Ticketmaster with children, 16 and under, granted free admission when attending with a paying adult.

If hospitality is more your style, a number of different options are also available, for details please visit pgachampionship.com.au.

Second year professional Anthony Quayle hopes to use the lessons learnt by spending time with Adam Scott to assume the mantle as the leading local hope at the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Players will begin their preparations in their pursuit of the Joe Kirkwood Cup from Monday with Quayle using the disappointment of missing the cut at the Emirates Australian Open to undertake some early reconnaissance at the Graham Marsh-designed layout.

Like Scott, Quayle is based at Sanctuary Cove but will make his Australian PGA Championship debut this week in front of an armada of family and friends.

First alternate two years ago when still an amateur, Quayle missed the 2017 tournament won by Cameron Smith as he locked up a Japan Golf Tour card at Final Stage of Qualifying School and enters the 2018 PGA in position to claim the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.

Runner-up at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways where he played the final round alongside South African legend Ernie Els, Quayle played a practice round with Scott at the Japan Open in October and paid close attention to how the World Number 41 prepared.

“I’ve had a few conversations with him and tried to pick his brain a little bit,” Quayle said of his relationship with Scott.

“I played a practice round with him at the Japan Open a few weeks ago.

“When we had the practice round there wasn’t any one piece of advice but just watching how he went about his business.

“How he practised, the level of professionalism in that he had with the way he went about things. He had his coach and his caddie there and they were really trying to get a solid game plan for the week.

“It was just his whole demeanour and how he carried himself, it’s something that sets the standard for all of us trying to do the same.

“He’s just a great guy, really welcoming, real forthcoming with information of how to help the younger generation.

“He’s a fantastic role model for everyone our age and younger and on and off the course just a great guy.”

When Scott completed his Masters coronation with victory at the 2013 Australian PGA Championship, Quayle was a 19-year-old aspiring golfer who was among the thousands who watched from outside the ropes.

Australia’s World Cup representatives Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith will headline this week’s PGA field with Quayle defending the decision by Scott to skip both the Australian Open and PGA this summer.

Quickly coming to terms with juggling a playing schedule – Quayle has already had to change the date of his wedding next year to fit in with the Australian Open in December – the 24-year-old represents an exciting generation of players eager to follow in Scott’s footsteps.

“From a player’s perspective he’s given a lot back to Australian golf over the past 20 years,” said Quayle, a nominee for the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year at the Greg Norman Medal dinner on Tuesday night.

“He’s at the point where he has to start looking after his own body and his own schedule.

“I don’t think it’s like that he’ll never play an Aussie event again, just at the moment that’s what he has to do and that’s fair enough.”

Third on the Order of Merit behind fellow Queenslanders Jake McLeod and Daniel Nisbet, the equation for Quayle is simple if he hopes to finish the week on top and claim not only a maiden professional win but also a one-year membership on the lucrative European Tour.

“To win the Order of Merit I probably have to finish top three. Outside of top three and I don’t think there’s a chance,” he said.

“The goal going into the week is just to try and win the golf tournament. Obviously if I do that then I don’t have to worry about what anybody else does.

“If I go in there playing as well as I can and controlling my emotions I think I should be a decent chance.”

Harold Varner III will join a substantial list of former winners at the Australian PGA Championship when he makes his fourth trip to the Gold Coast from 29 November – 2 December.

The charismatic PGA TOUR professional, who took out the Joe Kirkwood Cup in 2016 joins Cameron Smith (2017), Greg Chalmers (2014, 2011), Peter Senior (2010, 2003, 1989), Robert Allenby (2000, 2001, 2005, 2009) and Geoff Ogilvy (2008) as champions of the tournament set to battle it out at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

“To have my name alongside some of the guys who have won that trophy is pretty cool and then to have so many former winners still playing in the field is even better,” said Varner.

“Australia and the Australian PGA Championship will always be special to me, I picked up my first win as a professional there and I can’t wait to get back Down Under.”

In his three appearances so far at the Australian PGA Championship, Varner hasn’t finished worse than sixth place.

“The RACV Royal Pines Resort course really seems to suit my game, I’ve never really played badly there over the last three years.

“Hopefully we can go low again and keep the good form going around there.”

Varner is the latest high profile golfer to sign on to the Australian PGA Championship following the announcement of Geoff Ogilvy last week joining Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston on the Gold Coast this year.

“It’s fantastic to have so many of our former champions in the field once again at RACV Royal Pines Resort,” said Gavin Kirkman CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Cameron Smith will have a home crowd hoping he can win back-to-back, but Harold has finished inside the top-10 three times on the PGA TOUR this year, and the great Peter Senior proved he is in form with an incredible round of 11-under par on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour just weeks ago.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised if one of our former winners will add another Joe Kirkwood Cup to their trophy cabinet in 2018.”

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Australian PGA Championship which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

Tickets to see Geoff Ogilvy, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston play in the Australian PGA Championship from 29 November to 2 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort are now on sale at Ticketmaster.

General admission to the Australian PGA Championship is $25* when purchased at the gate or via Ticketmaster with children, 16 and under, granted free admission when attending with a paying adult.

If a marquee is more your style, a number of different corporate hospitality options are also available, please visit pgachampionship.com.au.

Major champion Geoff Ogilvy will make his first playing appearance on the Gold Coast as he tees it up in the Australian PGA Championship for the first time since 2012.

Geoff Ogilvy is a welcome addition to the field which will compete at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 29 November – 2 December.

Ogilvy joins Marc Leishman, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and defending champion Cameron Smith at the tournament which is fast becoming renowned equally for the festive atmosphere outside of the ropes as well as the on course action.

“It has been a while since I have competed in the Australian PGA Championship, I won the title in 2008 and I would love to be reacquainted with the Joe Kirkwood Cup,” said Ogilvy.

“I believe it is important for Australian golf to create top quality tournaments; that is where success for Australian golf lies.

“I have heard the PGA has been doing some interesting things at the Australian PGA Championship including the Greg Norman Medal, Kid’s Day, the Million Dollar Hole and then this year the Beach Club. I felt like it was time I experienced it for myself.”

A fan favourite, whose golf knowledge is much admired all over the world, the PGA is delighted to host Geoff Ogilvy at its flagship tournament.

“The Australian PGA Championship is the PGA professional’s flagship event; it’s a celebration of golf where we recognise the outstanding achievements of all the hardworking individuals who make our game great,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Given the special place the tournament holds in Australian golf, we always aim to have our leading players teeing it up. Geoff Ogilvy is certainly much admired for both his skill and golf knowledge, having a player of his standing tee it up at the Australian PGA Championship adds some real gravitas to the field.”

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Australian PGA Championship which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

Tickets to see Geoff Ogilvy, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston play in the Australian PGA Championship from 29 November to 2 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort are now on sale at Ticketmaster.

General admission to the Australian PGA Championship is $25* when purchased at the gate or via Ticketmaster with children, 16 and under, granted free admission when attending with a paying adult.

If a marquee is more your style, a number of different corporate hospitality options are also available, please visit pgachampionship.com.au.

Lucas Herbert is looking to end 2018 ranked inside the top-50 players in the world and the Australian PGA Championship will play a big part in that plan.

Having a breakout season on the European Tour, Herbert teed off the year with a third-place finish at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth and parlayed that into a further five top-10 finishes from 17 starts to secure his card on the lucrative Tour.

Now with that goal achieved, the 22-year-old has his sights set on the world top-50, major championships and world golf championships.

“When I am asked what my goals are, I am happy to let people know. You can’t knock a kid with dreams,” said Herbert, who brings a refreshing honesty and exuberance when speaking of his career up to this point.

“Mine is top-50 in the world by the end of the year; I want to play all four Majors next year, play the WGC events and be able to play whatever I want for the entire year.

“The form that I am currently in and the confidence I am taking into the last four events of the season, I don’t see any reason why I can’t achieve it.

“But if you look at the maths and the world ranking points that I need to earn, I am going to have to probably play as good as I have been, if not better.

“It is probably going to mean, that if I get up near the lead, I am really going to have to capitalise and try to win.”

Herbert’s best chance at winning could come at the Australian PGA Championship where he finished tied 7^th last year.

“On paper the Australian PGA Championship does look like my best opportunity to win, but I don’t think that makes it any easier, there are so many good Australian players. In the other three tournaments I only have 60 players to beat, where as I am going to have 156 on the Gold Coast,” added Herbert.

“Because I have had good results overseas, by the numbers I probably am a favourite, but I never think of it like that because I know how much talent there is in Australia.

“They are all going to want to put in a good performance to take advantage of the opportunities on offer at the Australian PGA Championship.”

The winner of the tournament will earn full status on the European Tour until the end of the 2020 season plus a start in the World Golf Championship – FedEx St Jude Invitational.

But for Herbert, the prestige of having his name engraved on the Kirkwood Cup outweighs the many benefits derived from a tournament victory.

“The one thing that has stood out for me this year, I can’t even remember how many top-10’s I have had now, but I haven’t had a win,” added Herbert.

“I think that would really make this year quite memorable for me, if I was able to get myself that first win.

“I have four events left for the year and I would be happy to win any of them. Three of them are $7 million Race to Dubai events and while the Aussie PGA is quite a drop financially, it would mean quite a lot more to me sentimentally, with it being in Australia, where I learnt my trade and played my first few years. It would mean quite a lot to win the Australian PGA Championship for sure.”

Should Herbert find himself in that position come the 72^nd hole at RACV Royal Pines Resort, his competitors had better brace themselves as winning is his only mindset.

“Not many people I know are more competitive than I am. I wouldn’t say that I am overly confident, I am just that competitive and I hate losing,” added Herbert.

“It just ends up that I would prefer to have the putt on 18 to win the match than have someone else with that putt and I need to rely on them missing it.

“I think I am quickly learning what the whole package is, that I need to play well week to week, month to month, year to year and we continue to develop that.

“But given my results at the back half of this year I think I am close to finding a formula that gives me pretty good results.”

That single-minded focused coupled with his exceptional big hitting capabilities will make Herbert a force to be reckoned with at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

“I think with the Graham Marsh design, if you can fly your ball over a few of those fairway bunkers it just makes life so much easier,” added Herbert.

‘I think on a hole like 13 if you hit it 250 metres off the tee its quite a tricky driving hole but if you hit it 270 it just opens up a lot. It seems like one of those courses where 10, 15 metres can just make it play so differently.

“So in that respect it definitely suits me, but I would add, on those Queensland Bermuda greens I am not as familiar with them as the bent grass I grew up on down here in Victoria. So I am trying to learn more about that type of grass and how to play those sorts of greens.”

A festival of golf, the Australian PGA Championship has created a celebration of golf that players look forward to teeing it up in and Lucas Herbert is no exception.

“A PGA Tour of Australasia tournament on the Gold Coast, we are playing for good money, Marc Leishman and Cam Smith playing as well, I am quite excited to be playing,” added Herbert.

“I had a really good time up there last year. The Gold Coast is a great spot to hang out and it’s a good time of year with the weather being great.

“I have managed to get the same house as last year, I have a few friends coming up and we are going to really enjoy that week, I am really looking forward to it.”

The Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 29 Nov – 2 Dec with the field set to feature Marc Leishman, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and defending champion Cameron Smith.

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Australian PGA Championship which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

General admission to the Australian PGA Championship is $25* when purchased at the gate or via Ticketmaster with children, 16 and under, granted free admission when attending with a paying adult.

If a marquee is more your style, a number of different corporate hospitality options are also available, please visit pgachampionship.com.au.

We can’t say we haven’t been warned.

One of the marquee signings for this year’s Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort intends to take in all the Gold Coast has to offer whilst mounting a serious challenge for the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston has quickly become a crowd favourite on the European Tour and has twice played the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 tournament in Perth but will be making his maiden appearance on the east coast.

Dinner at Moo Moo in Broadbeach, cuddling a koala and surfing on one of the Gold Coast’s famously pristine beaches are all on the agenda… he might even enhance his status as a man of the people by putting a towel down at the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club that will become a focal point for fans at the par-3 16th hole.

And it may not be pretty.

“A shocking one,” was a trimmed-down Johnston’s response when asked what kind of tan he would be bringing to Australia from November 29.

“Half brown arms and brown head and the rest is proper white.

“People are going to get a shock on that beach.

“I might get on a surfboard. I’ve never done it before but you might get me on one.

“Not for long probably by the sounds of it.

“I’ve only ever been to Perth so I’m looking forward to heading over to the other side of the country and seeing what the Gold Coast is like.”

In addition to hosting the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club, the 16th is also home to the Soniq Million-Dollar-Hole. If Johnston can become the first player to record an ace on the revamped Graham Marsh design he promises to leave fans with a memory they are unlikely to forget.

“I’ll probably do something completely stupid, I can probably guarantee that,” said Johnston, who has four hole-in-ones in competition to date.

“I never know what’s going to happen, it’s never pre-planned or anything, what will be will be.

“But I’m pretty sure it will be something silly.”

Joining Australia’s ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf representatives Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith as the headline acts at Royal Pines, Johnston is hoping he will be able to put all the pieces of his puzzle together for four rounds.

With just one top-10 result to his name since the Spanish Open in April, Johnston admits that it has been a somewhat frustrating season but remains confident the work he is doing on the practice range will soon translate to better finishes.

“It’s just been quite inconsistent to be honest,” said the 29-year-old.

“When I’ve hit the ball well I haven’t made anything, when I’ve hit it everywhere I’ve chipped and putted well. I just haven’t put it all together over four rounds.

“It’s been quite frustrating. I’ve had tournaments where I’ve started well and finished poorly or started poorly and played well on the weekend but given how many good players there are it’s so hard to climb up that leaderboard.

“You’ve got to be consistent over the four days and I just haven’t done that.”

The Gold Coast’s hottest beach this summer will pop up at RACV Royal Pines Resort with the Australian PGA Championship launching its new fan zone; the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and Oakley.

Built on the 16^th hole the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club brings a unique new experience to professional golf which will have fans sunbaking and cooling off in the water all whilst watching Marc Leishman, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and defending champion Cameron Smith in action.

“The Australian PGA Championship has an energetic atmosphere designed to provide a unique golf experience for fans,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“We are focused on creating an event which has great golfing talent on display but which has just as much action happening outside of the ropes. The Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club is our latest offering which will complement the existing corporate hospitality and take the Soniq Million Dollar Hole to a new level of entertainment this year.”

Inspired by the iconic beaches of Queensland, the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club is designed to showcase one of Queensland’s greatest assets at the globally broadcast golf tournament.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club was the perfect way to showcase the Gold Coast as an event destination.

“The Gold Coast is well-known for its world-class beaches and major events – what better way to showcase the Coast than by bringing the beach to the greens for the Australian PGA Championship?

“The Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club is a great way to promote the best parts of the Gold Coast, while providing added incentive for visitors to travel to the tournament and experience this region for themselves.

“The Australian PGA Championships is an event that delivers for the Gold Coast. Last year, the event generated 42,675 visitor nights and $12.61 million for the local economy.”

Helping bring this fan zone to life is Oakley which aims to bring the surf culture to the Australian PGA Championship.

“The Oakley team is excited to be a part of this unique fan experience at the Australian PGA Championship,” said Larissa Brander, Oakley Marketing Manager.

“Golf and the beach are both central to the Oakley brand and this is a fantastic opportunity to bring the two together in one place, and no better place than the beautiful Gold Coast!

“Along with local Oakley athletes we look forward to kicking back at the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club and soaking up the PGA Championship atmosphere.”

To gain access to the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club fans will have to win their way in via oakleybeachclub.com.au.

The Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 29 November – 2 December.

Tickets to see Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston play in the Australian PGA Championship from 29 November to 2 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort are now on sale at Ticketmaster.

General admission to the Australian PGA Championship is $25* when purchased at the gate or via Ticketmaster with children, 16 and under, granted free admission when attending with a paying adult.

If a marquee is more your style, a number of different corporate hospitality options are also available, please visit pgachampionship.com.au.

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Australian PGA Championship, which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.