Queenslander Scott Hend and Victorian Marcus Fraser proudly wore green and gold at the Rio Olympics and will compete at the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast from December 1-4.
It has been a phenomenal year for Hend and Fraser, who have both won on the European Tour, the True Thailand Classic Presented by Chang and the Maybank Championship Malaysia respectively, whilst also competing at the Olympics.
Following on from the Race to Dubai Final Series they will make their only appearance of the Australian summer of golf at the Australian PGA Championship, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
“We are delighted to have Scott Hend and Marcus Fraser join us at RACV Royal Pines Resort for the Australian PGA Championship,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.
“Golf made a successful re-entry into the Olympics Games and Marcus and Scott represented Australia proudly. The Australian PGA Championship will give sports fans an opportunity to come and see Australia’s two golf Olympians in action.
Scott and Marcus are both very talented players experiencing exceptional seasons; they will be two of the favourites to win the Joe Kirkwood Cup.
With the addition of Hend and Fraser to the field, four of the top five Australians in the world will be competing at the Australian PGA Championship.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Kate Jones, said it was a coup to have some of the world’s best golfers competing in Queensland.
“It’s great for the tournament to have another great Queensland local and two Australian Olympians playing this year’s PGA,” Ms Jones said.
“It’s exciting to have four of the top five Australian’s in world golf returning to play the Australian PGA Championship, showcasing the Gold Coast on a global stage and providing a boost to the State’s tourism economy.”
World Number Six Adam Scott headlines and will be joined by his World Cup of Golf team mate Marc Leishman (49), Hend (64) and Fraser (103).
“It is our aim each year to assemble a strong Australian field to contest the Australian PGA Championship, we are very proud to have all our best Australian talent competing for the Joe Kirkwood Cup in 2016,” added Thorburn.
Hend returns home to Queensland following one of his best seasons on the European Tour, he has recorded six top ten finishes including a win at the True Thailand Classic, plus a victory at the Queen’s Cup on the Asian Tour.
Having finished inside the top ten at the PGA TOUR and Asian Tour co-sanctioned CIMB Classic last week, Hend will be riding a wave of confidence when he competes at the Australian PGA Championship.
“I am looking forward to coming home to compete in the Australian PGA Championship especially since it’s in my home state,” said Hend.
I feel like my game is in great shape and 2016 could be my best chance of winning one of the big tournaments on home soil.
“I would love to win the Australian PGA Championship in front of a Queensland crowd; it would be a great end to my year.”
Fraser impressed the world when he led the Rio Olympics after the first two rounds and remained in medal contention until the final round.
Fraser’s performance in Rio followed his victory at the European Tour and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Maybank Championship Malaysia; his first win in six years.
“Rio was an amazing experience which created so many special memories which I look forward to sharing with Aussie golf fans at the Australian PGA Championship,” said Fraser.
I always love competing in Australia and am pleased that I will get the chance to do this at the Gold Coast in December.
The Australian PGA Championship is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! in Queensland major events calendar.
The Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from December 1-4 with tickets on sale viaTicketek.
