MAJOR championship winners Hannah Green and Grace Kim will be joined by LPGA star Steph Kyriacou at the ‘big two’ Australian women’s tournaments during March, while Australia’s No. 1 Minjee Lee has confirmed her participation at the Australian Open, for what promises to be an exciting fortnight for women’s professional golf.
Kim, Green and Kyriacou will contest both the Australian Open at Kooyonga Golf Club from March 12-15, then the 2026 Australian WPGA Championship at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club the week following, while Lee will be in the field in Adelaide looking to add the national open crown to her already impressive list of achievements.
Ranked No.26 in the world and in arguably career-best form following a standout 2025 season, highlighted by her breakthrough major championship victory at the Amundi Evian Championship last year, Kim was first to sign on for the local events back in December, closely followed by the announcement that Lee will compete at the Open.
Western Australian Green and Kyriacou have since committed for both events, with the young Sydneysider keen to display her talents on home soil.
“There’s nothing quite like competing at home and being part of two tournaments with world-class fields in Adelaide and on the Gold Coast is something I’m really looking forward to,” Kyriacou said.
“I think we will see two events that really highlight how strong women’s golf is in Australia. We’re in an awesome position at the moment.
“Both the Open and WPGA are going to be great moments to be part of and it’s always special to play in front of the Aussie fans.”
Can Steph Kyriacou upstage her more experienced Aussie rivals and claim one of the ‘big two’ Australian championships?
After earning an LPGA Tour card in 2022, Kyriacou has established herself as one of Australia’s leading players, the 25-year-old recording five top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour last year.
Included amongst her best results were a tie for fifth at the Mizuho Americas Open and the T-Mobile Match Play, while Kryiacou also played a key role, alongside Lee, Green and Kim, in Australia’s win at the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown teams event.
After trumpeting the announcements around the first three Aussie stars, Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland was equally excited to announce Kyriacou’s participation in what he described as another significant boost for the women’s Australian Open.
“Having our leading Aussie players like Steph, Hannah, Minjee Lee and Grace Kim compete at Kooyonga provides a fantastic opportunity for Australian fans to see the best of women’s golf on home soil and on one of the country’s best courses,” Sutherland said.
While WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn was also appreciative of Kyriacou’s decision to include a Webex Players Series event, as well as the WPGA Championship, on her 2026 tournament schedule.
“Having Steph play in both major events, as well as Webex Players Series Sydney, is a huge positive for our tour.
“We’re building real momentum for women’s golf in Australia and having our star players return to support our major events in March will help us continue on our mission.”
The 2026 Women’s Australian Open and the Australian WPGA Championship are co-sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the Ladies European Tour (LET).
In addition to the marquee four, several of Australia’s leading female professionals will be aiming to upstage their high-profile rivals, including Su Oh and LET members Kelsey Bennett, Kirsten Rudgeley, Maddy Hinson-Tolchard and Justice Bosio.
Also set contest the Open and WPGA championships will be international visitors Lydia Hall from Wales, Malaysian Ashley Lau, both Vic Open winners on the WPGA Tour of Australasia, along with defending Australia Open champion Jiyai Shin.
Gold Coast Festival a golfing celebration
THE Australian WPGA Championship, staged in conjunction with the Gold Coast Festival of Golf, will be four-day celebration of the women’s game.
A high-energy, feel-good celebration awaits, where golf meets food, fun, fashion, and community spirit, the Festival of Golf, like the WPGA Championship, will be free to attend and packed with entertainment, golfing experiences and displays.
The Festival of Golf will run from 11am to 6pm on Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 21, and 11am to 5pm on Sunday, March 22.
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn expressed; “It’s a great opportunity to watch some first-class golf and enjoy all the attractions and entertainment at the Festival of Golf.”
The winner of the WPGA Championship will receive the Karrie Webb Cup in honour of Australia’s best ever female professional.
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