It’s a field that any tournament would be proud of, with three Australian golfing household names teeing up at Murray Downs for this week’s FORD NSW Open.
After a six-event qualifying series around the state, all roads lead to Swan Hill, with one of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia's biggest prize purses on offer this week.
Last played in March 2023, after not featuring last season on Tour due to a change in scheduling, David Micheluzzi was the most recent winner of the Kel Nagle Cup, triumphing on his way to securing that season's Order of Merit.
With an increased prize fund of $800,000, the return of the NSW Open has seen significant player interest, with star Aussies Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert making the trip out to the Murray River region, as well as 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.
Among the other headliners in the field are all four winners from Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia this year, Phoenix Campbell, Jack Buchanan, Elvis Smylie and Will Bruyeres.
Kicking off a huge three-week stretch, the NSW Open provides a sensational prelude for the BMW Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: David Micheluzzi (Victoria)
PRIZEMONEY: $800,000
LIVE SCORES: www.pga.org.au
TV COVERAGE: The NSW Open will be broadcast live on 7plus and 7two.
*All times AEDT.
Round 2: Friday, 12pm (7plus)
Round 3: Saturday, 12pm (7plus)
Final Round: Sunday, 12pm (7plus and 7two)
HEADLINERS
Cameron Smith — 2022 Open Champion, captain of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League
Lucas Herbert — PGA TOUR and DP World Tour winner, member of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League
Geoff Ogilvy — 2006 US Open champion, 2008 BMW Australian PGA champion and 2010 ISPS HANDA Australian Open champion
Phoenix Campbell — 2023 and 2024 Qld PGA champion
Jack Buchanan — Winner of the 2024 CKB WA PGA presented by TX Civil & Logistics and Webex Players Series South Australia
Elvis Smylie — 2024 Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open champion
Jak Carter — Two-time runner-up this season and fourth on the Order of Merit
Curtis Luck — 2016 WA Open champion, and Korn Ferry Tour player