Best-ever field set to launch 2026/27 Challenger PGA Tour
Defending champion Cory Crawford will lead one of the deepest fields ever assembled for the PNG Open when the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia returns to Royal Port Moresby Golf Club later this month.
The August 27-30 championship marks the opening event of the 2026/27 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season and features eight Tour winners from the past two seasons, and players representing seven different nations, highlighting the growing strength and reputation of one of the Tour's most unique international events.
Queenslander Crawford returns to Papua New Guinea looking to defend the title he won in dominant fashion last year, cruising to a four-shot victory after closing with a brilliant 7-under-par 65.
Former Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit champion Jake McLeod, who was part of a group that tied for second in 2025, and three-time Tour winner Daniel Gale add further star power to the 120-player field.
They are joined by a host of former Tour winners, including Will Florimo, Declan O'Donovan, Jordan Doull, Christopher Wood, Ben Henkel, Phoenix Campbell and the 2024 PNG Open winner, William Bruyeres.
The championship will again provide a significant opportunity for local talent, with more than 20 Papua New Guinea amateurs earning places in the field to test themselves against some of Australasia's leading professionals.
Their inclusion continues one of the PNG Open's proudest traditions, providing invaluable experience for the country's emerging golfers while showcasing the continued growth of the game in Papua New Guinea.
With valuable Order of Merit points on offer from the opening tee shot of the season, the PNG Open provides players with the chance to make an immediate impact in the race for pathways to the DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour.
Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey said the strength of this year's field reflected the standing the PNG Open has earned among players.
"There's always a real sense of anticipation when we arrive in Papua New Guinea because it signals the beginning of another Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season," Dastey said.
"The PNG Open has become one of the most popular events on our schedule and the quality of this year's field reflects just how highly regarded the tournament is among our members.
"To have so many Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia tournament winners in the field, makes this one of the strongest PNG Opens we've ever staged.
"Just as importantly, it's fantastic to once again have more than 20 Papua New Guinea amateurs competing alongside our professionals. Providing local players with the opportunity to test themselves at this level is a key part of what makes this championship so special and plays an important role in the continued development of golf in Papua New Guinea.
"Royal Port Moresby Golf Club consistently produces a memorable week of golf and the passion shown by the local golfing community is a huge part of that.
"We're excited to return, begin another Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season and continue the strong partnership we've built with the PNG Golf Association, our hosts and supporters over many years."
The nations represented in this year’s field are Australia, PNG, New Zealand, USA, Spain, Fiji and Korea.
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