Asian Tour stars added to JAC tournament
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Three of the Asian Tour’s most-accomplished competitors – John Catlin, Travis Smyth and Chase Koepka – will compete in the inaugural Japan-Australasia Championship at Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club this week.
The historic event is the first to be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, bringing elite international professional golf back to New Zealand’s largest city for the first time in more than two decades.
LATEST HEADLINES:
American 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 Smyth is a two-time professional winner, claiming the NT PGA on the 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 NZ PGA Championship at Paraparaumu Beach last month and had two top-10s on the Asian Tour in 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome John, Chase and Travis to the first Japan-Australasia Championship,” said Nick Dastey, general manager of tournaments and global tour relationships for the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Their inclusion adds significant weight to the field for the Tour’s return to Auckland.”
The Japan-Australasia Championship completes a landmark three-week professional golf swing in New Zealand that began with the NZ PGA and continued last week with the New Zealand Open.
