New Zealand’s top male golfers are set to compete at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, with Ryan Fox leading the group at Royal Queensland Golf Club. Fox, who won both the Canadian Open and Myrtle Beach Classic in 2025, will return to Australia for the first time since 2022. He is joined by Daniel Hillier and Kazuma Kobori as contenders for the Joe Kirkwood Cup from November 27-30.
The three players have achieved a combined total of 31 professional victories worldwide and hold two Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit titles. They aim to end a 26-year period without a New Zealand winner at this event.
Fox has reached No.34 in the Official World Golf Ranking and is ranked No.32 in the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup standings during what he describes as his best year so far. His career includes 19 wins worldwide, with three titles on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia: the 2014 WA Open, 2015 Queensland PGA, and 2019 World Super Six.
Fox said: “It’s going to be a great Summer of Golf in Australia and being part of it at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland is something I’m very much looking forward to.
“I had some good success on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia in my very early days on Tour which helped to give my career a nice kick along. Winning one of the big tournaments like the PGA would be a real highlight.
“Brisbane is also close to home so lots of friends and family will hopefully get the chance to come out which should make for a really enjoyable week.”
Hillier, who has seven professional victories including winning the 2023 British Masters, currently sits at number 13 on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings. Earlier this year he was runner-up in the Dubai Desert Classic.
Kobori earned both Order of Merit and Player of the Year honors on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia during his rookie season in 2023/24 by winning three tournaments. He recently finished third at Germany’s BMW International on the DP World Tour.
Nick Dastey, General Manager of Tournaments & Global Tour Relationships for PGA of Australia, welcomed their participation: “Having Ryan, Daniel and Kazuma in our field, representing the best of New Zealand men’s golf, is a huge plus for this year’s tournament,” Dastey said.
“Ryan is in the middle of the best year of his career, proving once again what an outstanding competitor he is by winning twice against the best in the world on the PGA TOUR.
“His presence is going to add tremendous interest, especially from Kiwi golf fans who will get to see their No.1 back on his home tour, the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Likewise, Daniel and Kazuma have already had great results in 2025 and would no doubt love to add the BMW Australian PGA Championship to their list of achievements.
“We haven’t had a Kiwi winner since Greg Turner in 1999, but with these three great contenders in the field, plus other New Zealand pros who will join them from our Tour, you definitely can’t discount it this year.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner noted local excitement about hosting international talent: “As Australia’s lifestyle capital, Brisbane is proud to welcome some of New Zealand’s top golfing talent as part of this much-loved event,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Hosting the Australian PGA Championship isn’t just a sporting highlight – it’s a major economic win for our city, creating more to see and do for residents and visitors.
“With thousands of visitors expected to attend the tournament, our lifestyle precincts will be buzzing with people ready to support local businesses and explore everything Brisbane has to offer.”
The event receives support from Tourism and Events Queensland through funding from Queensland Government as well as Brisbane City Council via its Economic Development Agency.
