BY BRENDAN JAMES

Some of golf’s biggest names will be lured to play in Australia later this year with our most prestigious tournaments – the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championships – to be played before and after the World Cup of Golf.

The PGA of Australia has announced the 2016 Australian PGA will be played from December 1 to 4 at RACV Royal Pines Resort, the week after the World Cup at Royal Melbourne.

While it is yet to be officially announced, Golf Australia magazine understands the Emirates Australian Open will slot into the schedule the week before the Cup and will be played at Royal Sydney Golf Club from November 18 to 21.

Nathan Holman celebrates his win in the 2015 Australian PGA Championship. PHOTO: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images. Nathan Holman celebrates his win in the 2015 Australian PGA Championship. PHOTO: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

This three-week ‘Royal Swing’ provides both events with the opportunity to entice some of the big names contesting the World Cup to come early or stick around for an extra week and bolster our tournament fields.

PGA of Australia CEO, Brian Thorburn said: “Hosting tournaments the calibre of the World Cup of Golf and Australian PGA Championship in back-to-back weeks is a real coup for Aussie golf fans as the fields assembled for each tournament will be some of the best seen in Australia in recent times.”

Matt Jones will be back to defend his Australian Open title, perhaps with a strong field acclimatising before the World Cup. PHOTO: Matt King/Getty Images. Matt Jones will be back to defend his Australian Open title, perhaps with a strong field acclimatising before the World Cup.
PHOTO: Matt King/Getty Images.

“It’s also a huge opportunity for many of the world’s best players who have competing in Australia on their bucket list.

“The Australian PGA Championship has a unique personality for a golf tournament; relaxed and family friendly it provides the perfect end of year event for players to compete for top prize money whilst also enjoying a holiday on the Gold Coast which is famous for fun.”

The 2016 Australian PGA Championship will also benefit from its position at the beginning of the European Tour’s 2017 schedule with players hoping to kick start their in Australia.

“While players always enjoy the sites of the Gold Coast, on the course it’s serious business with European Tour players hoping to get an early boost on the Race to Dubai and Aussie players looking to earn a ticket onto one of the biggest Tour’s in the world,” Thorburn added.

Chief Operating Officer for the European Tour, Keith Waters, said he hoped the presence of the European Tour could help grow the Australian PGA Championship.

“The European Tour is a thriving global brand, and we hope our presence in Australia can elevate the Australian PGA Championship to new heights,” he said. “With the World Cup in Melbourne the week before the PGA returns to the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland, we hope to see some of the best players in the world competing in Australia at the end of the year.”