Capital.com Australian Open winner bound for Augusta and St Andrews

Media Release:

The 2026 Capital.com Australian Open will offer players a direct pathway to two of golf’s biggest stages in 2027 – the Masters at Augusta National and The Open at St Andrews.

This year’s champion at Kingston Heath Golf Club on Melbourne’s famous Sandbelt from December 4-7 will receive an invitation to the 2027 Masters Tournament, with the top three non-exempt players also earning starts in the 155^th Open at the Home of Golf.

The Capital.com Australian Open has been part of The R&A’s Open Qualifying Series since its launch in 2013, while the Masters invitation was introduced for the 2025 tournament, with Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen becoming the first Australian Open champion to earn a trip to Augusta National.

With Neergaard-Petersen and runner-up Cameron Smith already exempt for The Open in 2026, it was the trio of Si Woo Kim, Michael Hollick and Adam Scott who earned the three places in the field at Royal Birkdale.

The pathway to the majors will again extend across the Tasman this season for Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia members, with the 2027 Open Qualifying Series including the New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort (February 25-28).

Lucas Herbert demonstrated the value of that opportunity this year, finishing runner-up behind Daniel Hiller to earn an exemption into The Open before turning it into an outstanding tied-sixth finish at Royal Birkdale.

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “To have starts at the Masters and The Open Championship both on offer makes the Capital.com Australian Open even more significant for our players.

“Augusta National and St Andrews are two of the most iconic venues in golf and it is an extraordinary opportunity for players competing in our national Open in December.

“We are extremely grateful to Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A for their continued support and for providing these opportunities to players competing in the Capital.com Australian Open.”

“It continues the momentum we are building for the Australian Open. We have aspirations to be recognised as a top-10 championship in world golf, and the continued support from Augusta National and the R&A is another sign that we are on the right path.”

PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said the pathways provided a major incentive for players competing on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.

“For our Tournament Members, the Capital.com Australian Open and New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort provide a very clear pathway to two of the biggest events in world golf,” he said.

“Playing in the Masters at Augusta National and The Open at St Andrews is something every player on our Tour can aspire to.

“The Australian Open and New Zealand Open are critical parts of the pathway we are building for players from our region and we are very thankful to Augusta National and The R&A for their continued support and partnership as we continue to create opportunities for our players to compete on the world stage.”

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