The Australian PGA is locked in for December in Brisbane after COVID forced its cancellation in 2020

COVID caused a raft of sporting cancellations in 2020. Now one major Australian tournament has confirmed it’s back on in 2021.

Cameron Smith won two Australian PGA titles in 2017 and 2018. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Australia summer of golf is set to swing back into action this year with confirmation the Australian PGA Championship will be played at Brisbane‘s Royal Queensland Golf Club in December.

All major events, including the PGA and Australian Open, were cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving a gaping hole on the sporting calendar over summer.

Problems with international flights, quarantine rules and other limitations prevented not only overseas players from flying to Australia but also the best locals, including defending champion Adam Scott, would not have been able to play.

But officials confirmed on Monday the PGA, which has been played at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, would be back at Royal Brisbane for the first time since 2001.

The presence of two-time winner Scott and fellow Aussie superstars Cameron Smith, who has also won the event twice and Marc Leishman, who like Smith recorded a top-10 finish at the Masters, is yet to be confirmed.

The Australian PGA Championship is coming to Brisbane this summer! ⛳️

We can’t wait to see everyone at @RQGOLF on 2-5 December 2021 😍

Tickets on sale now 👉https://t.co/dem0jHnL0G#AusPGA#PGATA#PGAProud#ThisIsQueenslandhttps://t.co/kFGcHohUno

— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) April 12, 2021

“After the disappointment in cancelling last year’s event, we are elated to be able to stage the 2021 Australian PGA Championship,” PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said.

“The Australian PGA Championship is seen by millions of fans the world over, so we are excited to play a leading role in the rejuvenation of the international tourism sector for Queensland and put a spotlight on the beautiful city of Brisbane by bringing a quality field of golf’s best players to Royal Queensland Golf Club.

“The magnificent course at Royal Queensland has seen significant change since our flagship event was last played here, and our players, partners and stakeholders alike are excited to return to experience the course alongside Brisbane’s world-class hospitality.”

Originally published as The Australian PGA is locked in for December in Brisbane after COVID forced its cancellation in 2020