PGA Tour and DP World Tour make major Australian Open announcement

Golf Australia has confirmed a significant new partnership with the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour that will secure the future of the men’s Capital.com Australian Open through 2027, 2028 and 2029.

The agreement ensures the national championship will continue as a co-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, while also marking the first formal partnership between Golf Australia and the PGA Tour.

The deal is set to deliver a meaningful increase in prize money, strengthen the event’s position on the global golf calendar, and enhance its ability to attract the world’s leading players. Further details on these developments will be confirmed at the 2026 Capital.com Australian Open.

The announcement arrives during a period of strong momentum for the championship. Rory McIlroy, a two-time Masters champion, is already confirmed to return for the 2026 edition, which will once again open the DP World Tour season alongside the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

The 2026 Capital.com Australian Open will see McIlroy return to one of his favourite venues in world golf, Kingston Heath Golf Club.

The championship heads back to the Melbourne Sandbelt from 3–6 December 2026, with strong demand expected following last year’s sell-out crowds.

The Australian Open will also remain a key feature of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s summer schedule, reinforcing its importance across both domestic and international circuits.

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the ambition is to elevate the tournament into the upper tier of global golf.

"The Australian Open has a proud history going back to 1904 and is recognised globally as one of the great national championships of world golf," Sutherland said.

"Our ambition is clear. We want the men's Capital.com Australian Open to be recognised among the top 10 most prestigious golf tournaments globally, and everything we are doing for the event flows from that ambition."

Sutherland said the partnership strengthens the tournament’s long-term structure.

"Getting the Australian Open right is about securing the total mix. That means world-class venues, strong host-state partnerships, commercial partners, sanctioning partners, broadcast reach, a great fan experience and the ability to attract strong international fields."

"This agreement with the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia strengthens the global relevance of the championship and gives us another important platform to keep growing the event year-on-year."

The DP World Tour welcomed the extension, highlighting the importance of national opens within its global schedule.

"We are delighted at today's announcement which confirms that the Capital.com Australian Open will continue to feature on our schedule," said Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament and Operations Officer for the DP World Tour.

"Since our Tour's inception over 50 years ago, National Opens have been, and will continue to be, critical for us; the fact we currently sanction 17 in total around the world merely emphasises the point that we are Golf's Global Tour."

The PGA Tour said the agreement strengthens its Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour and improves player pathways into the event.

"We are thrilled with this agreement between our Strategic Alliance partners, the DP World Tour and the Capital.com Australian Open," said Christian Hardy, the PGA Tour's Senior Vice President, International.

"The Capital.com Australian Open remains one of the most prestigious events in global golf, and our members have long valued the opportunity to compete in Australia."

PGA of Australia and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia CEO Gavin Kirkman said the deal provides a major boost for Australian tournament golf.

"The Capital.com Australian Open is the shop window for golf in Australia. If it’s strong, it elevates the entire Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and golf in this country."

The renewed agreement represents a major step in Golf Australia’s long-term strategy to elevate the Australian Open into one of the world’s premier golfing events, supported by increased investment, stronger international fields, and enhanced global exposure.