In a world-first for golf, the Men’s Australian Open and the Women’s Australian Open are joining forces.

For the first time ever, the marquee events will be played at the same time and at the same venue, Golf Australia, the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia today announced.

This will be the first recognised national Open to adopt the format – one that allows fans to see some of the world’s best men and women golfers together.

There will be 144 men and 144 women playing for an equal split of the $3.4 million prizemoney on offer, with the men’s event to be sanctioned on the DP World Tour for the first time ever, putting Australian golf on the world stage for two consecutive weeks of the Australian summer with PGA Championship to be staged at Royal Queensland the week prior.

To add to the excitement, the event will be held on the world-famous Melbourne Sandbelt from December 1-4, with Victoria Golf Club the primary host venue across all four days of the tournament and Kingston Heath Golf Club set to host play on the first two days.

This year’s Australian Open will also feature the third edition of the Australian All Abilities Championship, which assembles the top 12 players on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) from across the world supported by global partners EDGA, the International Golf Federation and newly formed G4D Tour.

Official Website // www.golf.org.au/ausopen