Texan Kramer Hickok, 2002 Australian Open Champion Stephen Allan and Kiwi star Steven Alker have accepted invitations to this year’s NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club.

Hickok has accepted a start in the NSW Open and fans are going to be in for a wild time when he tees it up at Twin Creeks next month. The name may be unfamiliar to most, but be warned golf fans, it’s one you’ll get to see a whole lot more of in the future. 

The 25-year-old Texan will be making his first trip to Australia and is excited about the chance of competing against some of our best golfers.

“I am thrilled to make my first trip to Australia and join the field at the New South Wales Open,” Hickok said. “I have heard nothing but great things about the tournament and have always wanted to visit Australia.”

“I am looking forward to competing against a strong field at Twin Creeks and hope to build upon what has been a great year for me.”

“I know it will be a special experience,” he added.

Hickok took out this year’s Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada OOM (Order of Merit) and was named the Tour’s Player of the Year after a standout season that saw him record two wins, three 2nd’s and six top ten finishes.

The University of Texas graduate, who completed his studies in 2015 and turned pro the same year, also counts reigning Open Champion and defending Australian Open Champion, Jordan Spieth as a close friend. 

The pair met at university and continue to train and play a lot of golf together. In fact, Hickok shares the Champion’s digs in Dallas, Texas.

Spieth too believes his college teammate is destined for the PGA TOUR and right on track to become one of the sport’s stars.

“He’s always been extremely talented. Now he believes that in himself and he closed tournaments out. He doesn’t feel like he needs anyone else to tell him he’s good, He knows he’s good,” Spieth told PGA Media last month.

“I think it’s just a matter of time before he’s out competing on the PGA TOUR," he said.

Victorian Stephen Allan will be returning to Australian soil for the first time in a couple of years and will be looking to kick-start his summer after having a quiet 2017 on the Web.com Tour. 

The two-time winner’s best result for the year was a tie for 15th in the Bahamas back in January.

Alker, a four-time winner on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and a four-time winner on the Web.com Tour, played 23 events on the USPGA tour in this year, making 12 cuts along the way.

General Manager of Golf and Tournament organiser for the NSW Open, Graeme Phillipson was thrilled to welcome the trio into the field.

“These guys have plenty of international experience under their belts,” he said. “They’ve played at the highest level, won tournaments, and are very competitive.”

“I expect all three of them to do extremely well around Twin Creeks,” Mr. Phillipson added.