Top Asian Tour event to clash with this year’s Australian PGA Championship

A ‘cluttered international golf schedule’ has led to a concerning clash of events in Australia and Hong Kong this year.

Cameron Smith is expected to return to Royal Queensland for this year’s Australian PGA Championship. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Australian PGA Championship won’t be robbed of major drawcard Cam Smith despite the Asian Tour’s Hong Kong Open being scheduled for same week in November and having a strong pull on LIV players.

Working in a “cluttered international golf schedule” poses an ongoing challenge for PGA organisers who last year secured the presence of Smith and his LIV stablemates including Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who went on to win the Australian Open, and Poland’s Adrian Meronk, who joined the Saudi-backed league this year.

But that duo could be tempted to opt for the Hong Kong event this year because it’s part of the Asian Tour’s lucrative “International Series” which has close links with LIV.

Smith also played in last year’s Hong Kong Open, finishing runner-up to New Zealand’s Ben Campbell in an event that was played two weeks before the Australian PGA.

Despite the clashing of events, the PGA of Australia is confident the nation’s drawcard golfers, including LIV trio Smith, Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert.

Defending champion Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott and possibly even Jason Day, will also be at Royal Queensland for the co-sanctioned event.

“The PGA of Australia and the PGA Tour of Australasia are again looking forward to the peak of our Aussie summer with the best of our Australian golfers contesting the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open,” PGA of Australia general manager of tournaments and global tour relationships Nick Dastey said.

Cam Smith was runner-up at last year’s Hong Kong Open. Picture: Peter PARKS / AFP

“We are often working within a cluttered international golf schedule, but following record crowds and TV ratings last year, we can’t wait to take the momentum from last year into this year’s events in what will again be the opening two weeks of the DP World Tour season.”

However, other Australian players who compete on the Asian Tour – including former Australian PGA title winner Jed Morgan, Travis Smyth, Wade Ormsby, Kevin Yuan, Andrew Dodt, Marcus Fraser and Scott Hend – may opt to play in Hong Kong if tour cards or the chance to qualify for next year’s LIV circuit are on the line.

Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok said was adamant they would welcome back “ a wonderful selection of world-class golfers”.

The two tournaments will be played from November 21-24.