Emirates Australian Open dates set

The 2016 Emirates Australian Open will be played from November 17-20.

Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt confirmed the dates today, saying the 101st staging of the national championship would be hosted by the iconic Royal Sydney Golf Club for the 15th time.

“Along with our staging partner Lagardere Sports, we have built in recent years a tradition of attracting strong international fields at the Emirates Australian Open and we are certainly in a position to continue that come November,” Pitt said.

“In the last few years we’ve had many of the world’s greatest players playing our championship including Adam (Scott) and Jason (Day), along with international superstars such as Tiger (Woods), Rory (McIlroy), Jordan (Spieth) and Bubba (Watson).

“The 2016 schedule is going to be a fascinating one, with opportunities to have a large number of the superstars of golf coming down under.

“With a new World Cup format this year, it will be a unique process for all the tournaments in terms of signing players and setting up their fields.

“Ultimately it’s a great opportunity to have a series of really successful tournaments in the November and December period that then have a positive impact on the profile and vibrancy of Australian golf.”

Sydneysider Matt Jones fended off the hard-charging Spieth at The Australian in November as the world No.1 sought a second consecutive Stonehaven Cup in a field featuring 12 past champions and four major championship winners playing before record crowds.

“In showcasing world-class fields, the Emirates Australian Open’s global reputation continues to grow and we’re hopeful this trend will continue in November,” Pitt said.

Echoing Pitt’s sentiments, Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia which oversees the PGA Tour of Australasia, looks forward to witnessing another successful national championship.

“The Emirates Australian Open is a pinnacle tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia which all Australian tour professionals and many of the world’s best dream of winning,” Thorburn said.

“The quality of the fields assembled to contest the Emirates Australian Open is a testament to the lure of the Stonehaven Cup as well as the quality of the golf courses which host our national Open.”