The 2025-2026 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season is set to begin this week in Papua New Guinea, marking the start of a schedule that will take players across several regions including the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales before Christmas. The tour serves as a platform for emerging professional golfers and provides opportunities for both local talent and international players.
The season features key tournaments such as the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club and the men’s Australian Open at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Both events are co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour, giving top performers access to international pathways.
“The past three seasons have highlighted the pathways available to the top performers on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia. Reigning Order of Merit champion Elvis Smylie earned immediate DP World Tour status with victory at last year’s co-sanctioned BMW Australian PGA Championship while David Micheluzzi and Kazuma Kobori have played in a number of major championships since their Order of Merit titles. Status on the DP World Tour awaits again for the top three on the Order of Merit while tournaments co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour, Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour also offer international pathways.”
Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy is scheduled to return to play in the men’s Australian Open for the first time in over ten years. “Reigning Masters champion and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy will send a jolt of electricity through Australian golf when he returns to play the men’s Australian Open for the first time in more than a decade. The 2013 champion at Royal Sydney Golf Club, McIlroy played the 2014 Australian Open at The Australian, the lure of Royal Melbourne Golf Club in December enough to entice the Northern Irishman back to our shores.”
International participation is expected to increase due to recent changes such as holding Qualifying School overseas. “The Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s growing reputation and the first Qualifying School held overseas has opened the door for an influx of international hopefuls to our shores. In addition to a Kiwi contingent headlined by two-time PGA TOUR winner Ryan Fox, the flags of the United States, Japan and Spain will feature prominently on leaderboards throughout the summer. New Yorker Chris Malec was medallist at the Q School in Georgia in July and will lead a number of recent college graduates including Ty Gingerich, Jayce Hargrove and Samuel Espinosa seeking to make their names Down Under.”
This year’s schedule includes:
– PNG Open (August 14-17) at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club
– Tailor-made Building Services NT PGA Championship (August 28-31) at Palmerston Golf Course
– World Sand Greens Championship (September 27-28) at Binalong Community Club
– CKB WA PGA Championship (October 9-12) at Kalgoorlie Golf Course
– Nexus Advisernet Bowra & O’Dea WA Open (October 16-19) at Mt Lawley Golf Club
– Webex Players Series South Australia hosted by Greg Blewett (October 23-26) at Willunga Golf Course
– Ford NSW Open (November 13-16) at The Vintage Golf Course
– Queensland PGA Championship (November 20-23) at Nudgee Golf Club
– BMW Australian PGA Championship (November 27-30) at Royal Queensland Golf Club
– Australian Open (December 4–7) at Royal Melbourne Golf Club
– Victorian PGA Championship (December 11–14) at Moonah Links
Defending champions from last season include William Bruyeres, Daniel Gale, Brett Rankin, Jack Buchanan, Elvis Smylie, Lucas Herbert, Phoenix Campbell, Ryggs Johnston, and Cory Crawford.
The tour continues its focus on being both a launchpad for young professionals within Australia and an entry point for international players aiming for higher-level tours.
