Two-time PGA Tour winner, Matt Jones to play Auckland
Australian Matt Jones has joined the field for the ISPS HANDA-sponsored Japan-Australiasia Champion tournament at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club next year.
The event will take place from February 18-21 and is co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and Japan Golf Tour, featuring a host of top talent from both regions.
The first edition of the $1.2 million tournament was held at the same course in March this year and was won by Australian Travis Smyth, who outlasted compatriot Jack Thompson in a six-hole playoff.
For Jones, whose PGA Tour victories came at the 2014 Houston Open and the Honda Classic in 2021, it will be his first time playing a professional tournament in Auckland.
“I’ve heard plenty of good things about Royal Auckland and Grange and it will be great to finally get the chance to play there, especially in tournament conditions,” Jones said.
“It’s a great concept bringing players from Australia, New Zealand and Japan together, and after seeing how successful the first tournament was, I’m looking forward to being part of it this time around.”
PGA Tour of Australasia general manager of tournaments and global tour relationships, Nick Dastey, said Jones was a “fantastic” addition to the field as the tournament looked to build on the foundations laid earlier this year.
“He will bring plenty of experience to what we expect will be another strong international field, and we’re particularly excited to give New Zealand fans the opportunity to see Matt play in Auckland for the first time,” Dastey said.
“Following the success of the inaugural championship, we’re looking forward to welcoming players and fans back to Royal Auckland and Grange for another terrific week of golf.”
The tournament now forms a three-week swing of high-level golf in New Zealand.
The Japan-Australasia Championship sits in the middle week of that swing, with the NZ PGA Championship at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club from February 11-14 and the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort from February 25-28.
