Thomas Pieters headlines six players confirmed for Super 6

19 Dec 2018

Media Release:

Thomas Pieters, one half of the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf winning Belgium team, will lead six players from around the globe to the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth next year at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

World Number 70 Pieters, Englishman Tom Lewis, Australian Lucas Herbert, New Zealander Ryan Fox, Spaniard Jorge Campillo and Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato will all tee it up in Perth, 14-17 February 2019.

This will be the first time that Pieters has competed at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth however he will be reacquainted with Lake Karrinyup after he previously played there in 2014.

While he missed the cut back then, he returns to Perth a much more experienced player having won on the European Tour four times including his most recent, a team victory, in Melbourne.

Pieter’s will also be familiar with the hybrid stroke play/match play format after competing in the Belgian Knockout which was modelled on the Super 6 format.

“I always enjoy playing in Australia and from what I remember Lake Karrinyup is a fantastic layout that I am looking forward to playing again,” said Pieters.

“I enjoyed playing and hosting the Belgian Knockout. Different formats of the game are interesting and help engage the fans. I think these tournaments are helping move golf in a positive direction.”

While Campillo will be making his first trip to Western Australia and debut in the innovative event, Fox, Lewis, Miyazato and Herbert will make return appearances to the tournament, one that the 23-year-old Australian is looking forward to.

In 2018 Herbert has made a meteoric rise up of the Official World Golf Rankings after he parlayed a third-place finish at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth into 19 starts on the European Tour, finishing 47^th in the Race to Dubai to earn a full card for the 2019 season and move from 226^th in the world rankings at the start of the year to as high as 78^th by October.

“I started this year without status on a major Tour but with the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth being tri-sanctioned with Europe and Asia, I knew the tournament presented some opportunities I needed to capitalise on,” said Herbert.

“I played really well in Perth, I love Lake Karrinyup and the fast-paced Super 6 format suits the way I like to play golf; aggressive! I was able to turn a really good week in Perth into a pretty special year.

“I am looking forward to getting back there in February as a European Tour player and hopefully end the week a European Tour winner.”

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the headline players would ensure an exciting tournament in 2019.

“We look forward to welcoming these quality players to Perth, Western Australia, and wish them the best of luck on the Lake Karrinyup course.

"Events play a crucial role in adding vibrancy to the State and helping to raise the profile of WA through valuable media exposure.

"The tournament is broadcast across the globe, giving us the opportunity to showcase Perth to an international audience.”

Supporting the vision to innovate golf, ISPS HANDA is delighted to see a strong field starting to assemble for the third staging of the tournament.

“The ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth and its new format bring a dynamic dimension to the game. ISPS is grateful to the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour for its efforts to evolve golf through such tournaments, making the sport more dynamic and more inclusive - so that more people than ever feel encouraged to participate,” said Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Founder and Chairman, ISPS HANDA.

“We’re delighted Thomas Pieters will be joining the field after his great success at the recent the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf in Melbourne. We are sure he and his fellow golfers will captivate and inspire audiences around the globe, to showcase the power of sport.”

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, is pleased that the unique format is attracting the attention of the world.

“This will be the third staging of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth and it is great to see players responding so favourably to the format. We had the vision to create something different for world golf and we certainly have delivered that in Perth,” said Kirkman.

“Tournaments like the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth are important opportunities for young Australian golfers. It provides them with the platform to test their games against some of the world’s best players but even more poignant, the tri-sanctioning allows them to establish themselves on an international tour if they capitalise on the week.

“Lucas Herbert is a fantastic example of a young player taking advantage of the opportunities available via the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.”

Cho Minn Thant, Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Tour added, “Thanks to Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Founder and Chairman of ISPS HANDA, for his sponsorship and support, the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth has always been one of the key highlights on the Asian Tour schedule.

“The popular event has garnered enormous interest globally due to its innovative format. Apart from an enhanced fan experience, its format also injects a fresh challenge for the players.

“We were proud to see Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat win the tournament this year and look forward to welcoming another worthy winner next year.”

Ben Cowen, Head of International Policy, European Tour added, “The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth is a truly unique event, and we are thrilled that it is attracting players of the highest calibre from all over the world.

“We are sure that the 2019 edition will be another huge success, and with this format encouraging such drama, it will be another great spectacle.”

Tickets to the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth from 14-17 February at Lake Karrinyup Country Club are now on sale at Ticketmaster.