Former US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy to play at Royal Pines in PGA Championship boost

FORMER US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy will boost the home-grown star power at this month’s Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.

Geoff Ogilvy holds aloft the Kirkwood Cup after winning it in 2008.

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FORMER US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy will boost the home-grown star power at this month’s Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.

Ogilvy, 41, will join fellow Australians and tournament headliners Marc Leishman and defending champion Cameron Smith at the RACV Royal Pines Resort from November 29 to December 2.

It will be his first appearance at the PGA Championship on the Gold Coast with his last tilt at the Joe Kirkwood Cup taking place at Coolum in 2012.

Geoff Ogilvy has announced he will play at the PGA Championship at Royal Pines.

Ogilvy – who spent 120 weeks in the world top 10, reaching a career-high ranking of no.7 - won the 2006 US Open and has collected three World Golf Championship events in his eight US PGA tour wins.

He also won the Australian PGA title in 2008 to go with his 2010 Australian Open crown.

“It has been a while since I have competed in the Australian PGA Championship…and I would love to be reacquainted with the Joe Kirkwood Cup,” Ogilvy said.

Geoff Ogilvy holds aloft the Kirkwood Cup after winning it in 2008.

“I believe it is important for Australian golf to create top quality tournaments – that is where success for Australian golf lies.’’

Australian PGA CEO Gavin Kirkman said securing Ogilvy was a coup for the event.

“Given the special place the tournament holds in Australian golf, we always aim to have our leading players teeing it up,’’ he said.

“Geoff Ogilvy is certainly much admired for both his skill and golf knowledge, having a player of his standing tee it up at the Australian PGA Championship adds some real gravitas to the field.”