AFTER being linked to and played alongside the men’s Australian Open since 2021, the Australian Women’s Open returns to Adelaide, with the women’s national championship to feature on both the WPGA Tour of Australasia and Ladies European Tour (LET) schedules as a standalone event in early 2026.
The 2026 event will be the first staging of at least three years of the tournament to be played in the South Australian capital with the women’s open teeing off at the Kooyonga Golf Club from March 12-15.
Won by major champions Jiyai Shin, Ash Buhai, Inbee Park, Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko in recent years, with Karrie Webb the last local winner back in 2014.
“The current number of Aussie players teeing it up, and contending, on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour each week continues to show that we punch above our weight on the international stage and that women’s golf has arguably never been stronger in Australia,” Karen Lunn, CEO of the WPGA of Australia said.
Jiyah Shin, the winner of the 2024 Australian Women’s Open.
“I am certain our players will be determined to break the Aussie drought in 2026 and lift the Patricia Bridges Bowl.”
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland was pleased the South Australian Government had agreed to host the Women’s Open for the next three years and to welcoming both local and international stars to the Kooyonga course next March.
“Kooyonga will provide the perfect stage to showcase the incredible talent set to feature in the field, including our top players who compete overseas on the game’s biggest stage, the rising local talent from the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the international contingent from the Ladies European Tour,” Sutherland said.
The news follows the announcement that Rory McIlroy will headline the men’s Australian Open in December, with both tournaments set to prosper as standalone fixtures on the Australian sporting calendar.
WPGA Championship and Festival of Golf returns to the Gold Coast
FOLLOWING the release of the dates for the Women’s Australian Open comes another positive announcement for female professional golf with the Australian WPGA Championship and Festival of Golf to return to the Gold Coast in 2026.
To be played at The Palms course at the Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, the event will tee off from March 19-22, the week immediately after the Open in Adelaide.
Like the Australian Open, the WPGA Championship will be co-sanctioned between the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the Ladies European Tour (LET), the winner to be awarded the Karrie Webb Cup, named after the seven-time major winner.
The WPGA Championship will form a central part of the Festival of Golf, a joint initiative by the PGA of Australia, Mulpha Australia, Tourism & Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast, to be hosted in Sanctuary Cove’s Marine Village precinct.
The Festival of Golf will bring together golf, food, fashion, fun, and community spirit, offering a chance to eat, drink, watch, play, learn, and shop
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said she is looking forward to the return of the event especially after this year’s cancellation due to Cyclone Alfred.
“While we were disappointed to cancel this year’s event due to Cyclone Alfred, we’re looking forward to a refreshed WPGA Championship and Festival of Golf in 2026 and to welcoming back locals and fans to Sanctuary Cove.”
General Admission to the 2026 Australian WPGA Championship and Festival of Golf will be free.
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