The summer time of golf can have loads of star energy after each defending Australian Open champions confirmed they are going to journey Down Below in November.
Golf Australia on Tuesday confirmed Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai will contest the boys’s and the ladies’s Open respectively.
This yr’s Open will probably be held at two programs – Kingston Heath Golf Membership and The Victoria Golf Membership – in Melbourne from November 28.
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The boys’s, girls’s, and all-abilities tournaments are held concurrently and on the similar venues, making the Australian Open a novel occasion.
LIV Golf star Niemann lit up Sydney’s The Australian Golf Membership final yr and beat Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino in an exciting Sunday playoff to clinch the title.
“To have the chance to defend a title, particularly a nationwide Open, is one thing actually particular that I’m vastly trying ahead to,” Niemann mentioned.
“I totally loved the Australian Open expertise final yr and suppose it is going to be a improbable solution to finish a profitable yr.
“Having performed on the Melbourne Sandbelt beforehand, I can not wait to attempt to go back-to-back throughout Kingston Heath and Victoria at this yr’s event.”
Niemann was a real rising star of worldwide golf however his world rating has slipped to 108 since his defection to LIV, the place gamers are unable to accrue rating factors.
His victory finally yr’s Open earned him entry to the US Masters – thought of golf’s most prestigious males’s event.
South African veteran Buhai is ranked 56th within the girls’s recreation and will probably be trying to find a 3rd successive Australian Open title.
“I’ve a protracted historical past with Australia and have all the time liked visiting, and particularly competing within the Australian Open which I am thrilled is returning to the Melbourne Sandbelt,” Buhai mentioned.
“The names on the Australian Open trophy are particular to be included alongside. Thankfully, I’ve had two years of trying on the trophy and I’m hoping to make it a 3rd this yr.”
Niemann will probably be joined within the Australian Open subject by Aussie star Min Woo Lee.
Lee received final yr’s Australian PGA Championship, which is held the week previous to the Open.