The summer of golf will have plenty of star power after both defending Australian Open champions confirmed they will travel Down Under in November.
Golf Australia on Tuesday confirmed Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai will contest the men’s and the women’s Open respectively.
This year’s Open will be held at two courses – Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club – in Melbourne from November 28.
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The men’s, women’s, and all-abilities tournaments are held concurrently and at the same venues, making the Australian Open a unique event.
LIV Golf star Niemann lit up Sydney’s The Australian Golf Club last year and beat Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino in a thrilling Sunday playoff to clinch the title.
“To have the opportunity to defend a title, especially a national Open, is something truly special that I am greatly looking forward to,” Niemann said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Australian Open experience last year and think it will be a fantastic way to end a successful year.
“Having played on the Melbourne Sandbelt previously, I can’t wait to try and go back-to-back across Kingston Heath and Victoria at this year’s tournament.”
Niemann was a genuine rising star of international golf but his world ranking has slipped to 108 since his defection to LIV, where players are unable to accrue ranking points.
His victory at last year’s Open earned him entry to the US Masters – considered golf’s most prestigious men’s tournament.
South African veteran Buhai is ranked 56th in the women’s game and will be searching for a third successive Australian Open title.
“I have a long history with Australia and have always loved visiting, and especially competing in the Australian Open which I’m thrilled is returning to the Melbourne Sandbelt,” Buhai said.
“The names on the Australian Open trophy are special to be included alongside. Fortunately, I have had two years of looking at the trophy and I am hoping to make it a third this year.”
Niemann will be joined in the Australian Open field by Aussie star Min Woo Lee.
Lee won last year’s Australian PGA Championship, which is held the week prior to the Open.