Golf: New Japan-Australasia Championship to be held at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club

The PGA Tour of Australasia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation will come together for the first time on the fairways of the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club in 2026.

The two tours will co-sanction a new professional event, with the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship to be played at the Auckland course from March 5-8 next year, with A$1.2 million ($1.37m) in prizemoney up for grabs.

The addition of the tournament creates a new three-week swing of professional golf in New Zealand.

The New Zealand PGA Championship will be played at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club from February 19-22, followed by the New Zealand Open at the Millbrook Resort, near Queenstown, from February 26-March 1.

The New Zealand Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, with invited players from the Japan Golf Tour.

“This tournament represents an exciting new chapter for golf in our part of the world,” PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said.

“Partnering with the Japan Golf Tour for the first time is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen ties between our tours and provide our players with a truly international stage.

“We’re also very grateful to continue our long-standing relationship with ISPS Handa, who have supported golf globally for many decades and who have helped to bring this historic partnership to fruition.

“New Zealand has a rich golfing heritage and bringing tournament golf back to Auckland is something we’re immensely proud to support.”

The Royal Auckland and Grange will host the tournament after completing a recent redevelopment and is recognised as one of New Zealand’s top championship layouts.

“We are immensely proud that Royal Auckland and Grange has been chosen to host the inaugural ISPS Handa Japan-Australasian Championship,” club captain Ian Blair said.

“When the tours approached us as the best venue capable of hosting an event of this calibre, it was recognition not just of our world-class course and facilities, but of our club’s 130-year commitment to excellence in New Zealand golf.

“This is Auckland’s first major men’s professional tournament in 20 years and we’re honoured to showcase our course to international audiences, while engaging with our wider community and inspiring the next generation of golfers.

“It’s a historic moment that reflects both our proud heritage and our exciting future.”