Landmark professional golf tournament coming to Auckland

Media Release:

 

Professional golf will make a major return to New Zealand’s largest city next March with the launch of the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship, a landmark new event set for March 5-8 at the prestigious Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club.

Co-sanctioned by two of the world’s most renowned and respected tours - the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) - the championship marks the first time in history the tours have partnered together in a tournament.

The event brings world-class golf back to Auckland for the first time since 2004 and will offer AUD $1.2 million in prizemoney, showcasing leading players from Australasia and Japan alongside rising stars from across the region.

Major global golf supporter ISPS HANDA serves as the title partner of the new event.

Dr Haruhisa Handa, Founder and Chairman of ISPS HANDA, one of the longest-standing supporters of golf in Japan, Australasia, and disability golf, was the inspiration behind the Japan–Australasia Championship. The concept reflects his belief in the power of sport, and especially the power of golf, to bring people together and to strengthen bonds between regions and nations.

“We are delighted to support this first-ever co-sanctioned tournament partnership between the Japan Golf Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia,” said Dr Handa.

“The relationship between Japan and Australasia is vitally important, and we are very pleased to help foster it through this championship.

“We look forward to welcoming players and fans from across the Pacific to celebrate the spirit of golf together at such a wonderful venue.”

PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman hailed the new event as a significant milestone for golf in the region.

“This tournament represents an exciting new chapter for golf in our part of the world,” Kirkman said.

“Partnering with the Japan Golf Tour for the first time is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen ties between our Tours and provide our players with a truly international stage.

“We’re also very grateful to continue our long-standing relationship with ISPS HANDA, who have supported golf globally for many decades and who have helped to bring this historic partnership to fruition.

“New Zealand has a rich golfing heritage, and bringing tournament golf back to Auckland is something we’re immensely proud to support.”

The addition of the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship creates an unprecedented three-week swing of professional golf in New Zealand.

The New Zealand PGA Championship will be played at the world top-100 Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club from February 19-22, followed by the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from February 26-March 1.

The NZ Open is co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, with invited players from the Japan Golf Tour.

JGTO Chair and CEO Dr Yutaka Morohoshi welcomed the historic collaboration.

“The Japan Golf Tour is delighted to work hand-in-hand with our friends at the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia on this groundbreaking event. We’re extremely grateful that ISPS HANDA has extended the great support it provides our tour in Japan, into the Australasian region,” Dr Morohoshi said.

“The ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship will give our players a great new experience on New Zealand’s North Island, and we believe fans will be excited to see the best of both tours competing together. We look forward to announcing the participation of several top Japanese players in the coming days.”

The host venue, Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club, recently completed a major redevelopment and is recognised as one of New Zealand’s finest championship layouts.

Ian Blair, Club Captain, Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club said: "We are immensely proud that Royal Auckland and Grange has been chosen to host the inaugural ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasian Championship.

“When the tours approached us as the best venue capable of hosting an event of this calibre, it was recognition not just of our world-class course and facilities, but of our club's 130-year commitment to excellence in New Zealand golf.

“This is Auckland's first major men's professional tournament in 20 years, and we're honoured to showcase our course to international audiences while engaging with our wider community and inspiring the next generation of golfers.

“It's a historic moment that reflects both our proud heritage and our exciting future."

Nick Hill, CE at Tataki Auckland Unlimited, the region’s cultural, events and destination agency, said: “Auckland Council Events is proud to support this new championship and to help bring professional golf back to Tamaki Makaurau.

“Auckland has a strong reputation for great golf and for hosting world-class events, so it’s wonderful to see the region back on the tour schedule.

“We look forward to welcoming players and fans next March to experience our manaakitanga (hospitality) and all that makes Auckland special.”

The announcement of the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship completes the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s 2025/26 schedule which now has 20 events, all contributing to the chase for rewards via the Order of Merit.

 

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