Sergio commits to Aussie Open
Spanish superstar Sergio Garcia plays the 2019 Australian Australian Open.
And in a field that is quickly gaining international hold, CT Pan debutant CT Pan will also play from 5 to 8 December at The Australian Golf Club.
The pair adds to a fast-growing list of superstars coming to Sydney, along with Aussie favorites Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith, as well as four-time grand champion Ernie Els, open champion hero Louis Oosthuizen and in-form Englishman Paul Casey, whose recent one European Open victory jumped him to number 14 in the world ranking.
Garcia enjoyed his first win of the year at the Dutch Open of the weekend, remarkably his 35th win as a professional in every corner of the planet, including 10 times on the US PGA Tour.
The Ryder Cup hero, honored for his ball-attacking bravery and flair, rose back to number 32 on the world ranking after a victory in his first appearance in the Dutch tournament.
The 2017 Masters champion and a firm favorite with the audience where he previously played the Australian PGA and Masters, Garcia will make his Australian Open debut in New South Wales.
"I have always enjoyed my visits to Australia and I know that the Stonehaven Cup has a great history," he said.
"So I can't wait to go to Sydney and try to add my name to that trophy with such legends.
"I have always experienced Australian crowds as enthusiastic and knowledgeable, so hopefully I can set up a show for them.
"And I'm really looking forward to looking around in Sydney while I'm down."
Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia, was delighted with the addition of both Garcia and Pan to the field.
"Like many, I was very excited when Sergio broke through at Augusta National in 2017 and we couldn't be happier seeing this great champion-winning style back in New South Wales this summer – it's great that he also comes in winning form," said Pitt.
"And we are delighted to welcome CT again. He has really grown up in recent years and already has a great affinity with Australia."
Pan, from Taiwan, played the Australian Open for the first time as a 15-year-old amateur in 2006 when he missed the cut. He returned in 2015 and finished in a 21st share in one of his first professional events.
His breakthrough on the US PGA Tour came this year when he won the Heritage to ultimately ensure that he was among the top eight automatic qualifiers for the international team at the Presidential Cup.
The Emirates Australian Open is supported by the NSW government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The tournament, organized for the 21st time by The Australian GC, is exclusively broadcast live on the screens of Ch.7
The Emirates Australian Open a flagship tournament on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia. The winner will receive a minimum of 32 official World Golf Ranking points.
Tickets are now for sale. Go to www.ticketek.com and search for "Open golf" to make sure you don't miss seeing the best golfers in the world live in Sydney.