Asian Tour stars added to ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship field

John Catlin during the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort, Queenstown. Photo / Photosport

Three of the Asian Tour’s most accomplished competitors – John Catlin, Travis Smyth and Chase Koepka – will compete in the inaugural ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship at Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club next week.

The event is the first to be co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, bringing elite international professional golf back to Tāmaki Makaurau for the first time in over two decades.

American John Catlin has emerged as one of the leading players on the Asian Tour, including winning the Order of Merit and Player of the Year honours in 2024.

His standout victories in a 14-win professional career include the Irish Open, Andalucia Open, International Series Macau and the Saudi Open, where he famously carded the first-ever 59 in Asian Tour history.

Australia’s Travis Smyth is a two-time professional winner, claiming the NT PGA on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and Yeangder TPC on the Asian Tour.

He finished last year ranked 19th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with six top-10s.

“I’m super excited to get to Auckland for the return of professional golf,” Smyth said.

“I’ve heard the golf course is immaculate and I’ve never been to Auckland before so I’m pumped.”

Koepka finished equal fifth in the Quinovic NZ PGA Championship at Paraparaumu Beach last week and had two top-10s on the Asian Tour in 2025.

Nick Dastey, general manager of tournaments and global tour relationships for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, said: “We are thrilled to welcome John, Chase and Travis to the first ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship. Their inclusion adds significant weight to the field for the tour’s return to Auckland.”

The ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship completes a landmark three-week professional golf swing in New Zealand that began with last week’s Quinovic NZ PGA and continues this week with the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

All four rounds of the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship will be broadcast on Kayo, Foxtel and Sky Sport.