And now the tournament has confirmed it will be known as the ISPS HANDA Australian Open for the next three years, and that both the men’s and women’s fields will compete for $1.7 million each.

Previously the title sponsor of the Women’s Australian Open, ISPS HANDA continues its long term support of golf around the world, and specifically in Australia, with the deal announced today at Victoria Golf Club by Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland and ISPS Patron Sir John Key.

“For a long time now, ISPS HANDA has been a highly valued partner of Australian golf and a great supporter of our tournaments,” Sutherland said.

“This new format for the Australian Open – bringing the men and women together with the All Abilities Championship – is a world first. ISPS HANDA have really stepped up here, and without their support it would be very difficult for us to put on an event at the scale at which we are planning. We are very grateful for their investment and their strong alignment to our vision of growing golf as a sport for all.”

The men's and women's Australian Opens will be played for equal prizemoney in December this year. PHOTO: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

Added Key: “ISPS HANDA is enormously proud of the work it has done in disability golf around the world for over three decades, as evidenced by Dr Handa’s position of Ambassador for the European Tour Disability Program. ISPS HANDA has an explicit aim of assisting golf to be included in the Paralympic Games, and this event is very important in that regard.”

Announced at the same time was the commitment of Hannah Green to the Australian Open field.

The major winning 25-year-old also an ISPS HANDA ambassador, who joins Lucas Herbert as announced players for the event that will take place December 1-4, noting the addition of the All Abilities Championship and its inspirational players.

“As an ambassador for ISPS HANDA, which has done so much work in the All Abilities space, I love the idea of sharing courses with that field in their own national championship. They are incredible athletes and tremendously inspirational,” Green said.