Golf Australia confirms Australian Open will be played in Sydney in 2021

Golf Australia has confirmed that the Australian Open will take place at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney from 25th to 28th November 2021.

The 105th edition of the national championship will be played after a year’s hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is the week before the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, giving the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia a two-week block of world-class golf.

Golf Australia Chief Executive, James Sutherland notes “The Open has been a focal point of the Australian summer for decades and we’re extremely pleased to bring it back.

“It was tough for all involved to miss out last year, particularly for players without their national championship on offer and for fans who simply want to see the best golf has to offer.

“So we’re thrilled to have the support of our stakeholders to be able to bring the championship to life once more, particularly at The Australian for a record 22nd time.”

NSW Minister for Investment, Jobs, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres adds “hosting major events like the Australian Open provides a huge injection into our visitor economy and events industry by creating jobs and attracting visitors from all over the country to Sydney.

“Within minutes of leaving the tournament, Australian Open spectators, officials and players will find themselves at one of the Harbour City’s world-class restaurants, hotels or beaches.”

Mark Hardess, spokesman for Golf Australia’s staging partner SPORTFIVE, said confirmation the event would run had provided a surge of energy and enthused “It’s fantastic that we have so much support to get the tournament up and running again – we owe a debt of gratitude to all our stakeholders and can’t wait to bring the event to life again in November.”

The Open’s 2020 edition was originally scheduled to be played at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath, then postponed from November to February this year, but later cancelled because of the pandemic.

It was the first time the event – the world’s fifth oldest professional tournament – had not been staged outside the two World Wars, having first been held in 1904.

The Australian Open is a flagship tournament on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia. The winner will receive a minimum of 32 Official World Golf Ranking points.

Image: Stonehaven Cup trophy courtesy PGA