The Fiji International continues to lure the world’s best Professionals as a bevy of world renowned players join the field for Fiji’s biggest sporting event.
America’s Heath Slocum and Australian Professionals Robert Allenby, Jarrod Lyle, Peter Lonard, Peter O’Malley, Aron Price and Steven Jeffress are all headed to Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course for next month’s Fiji International.
“It’s been really exciting to see the support from the players. Each year we’re receiving more and more interest from world ranked Professionals keen to get a start in the Fiji International,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.
“Those players who are returning are doing so because they’ve had a great experience, not just a great golfing experience but a great cultural experience thanks to the warm and friendly nature of the local Fijian community.”
“The Fijian community has played a huge role in showcasing their country to visiting Professionals and this has contributed significantly to the growth and success of the tournament.”
Slocum, a four-time PGA TOUR winner which includes a victory at The Barclays, will be making his first appearance in Fiji. Slocum’s appearance is a huge win for the tournament and joins the field with seven professional wins under his belt.
Allenby, a PGA TOUR regular, is also making his first appearance at the Fiji International. Since turning professional in 1992, Allenby has played on a number of world tours notching up 22 victories and he continues to be a steadfast supporter of tournaments on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
Lyle will also be joining the Australian contingent and comes to Fiji after playing for a number of years on both the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour, where he secured two victories. At age 17, Lyle was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which also reoccurred in 2012. After his second remission, Lyle has made a comeback and continues to tee it up on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
Lonard is a seasoned competitor around the world having played on the PGA TOUR and European Tour for a number of years. Lonard will be making his first trip to the Fiji International after playing tournaments on the Web.com Tour this season with his best finish coming at the BMW Charity Pro-Am where he finished T16.
O’Malley, a veteran Professional, will be making his third appearance in the Pacific. Having spent much of his career playing on the European Tour, in which he is a three-time winner, he continues to tee it up on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. With eight Professional wins to his name, O’Malley has spent much of this season playing the European Seniors Tour with his best finish coming at the Willow Senior Golf Classic where he finished T7.
Price, who has played on the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour, was the runner up at last year’s tournament. After firing a final round of 1-under 71 to finish on even par, Price will be looking to go one better this year on his quest to secure a victory in the Pacific. Earlier this year Price qualified for the US Open in what was his second Major Championship appearance.
Jeffress, the 2014 champion, will be looking to relive the magic he created when he won the inaugural tournament two years ago. Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course holds good memories for Jeffress and he’ll be aiming to climb the leaderboard this year after a top-20 finish in 2015.
These players will join previously announced Vijay Singh, Brandt Snedeker, Steven Bowditch and Boo Weekley at the Fiji International from 6-9 October at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.
About the Fiji International
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October for AU$1.5million in prizemoney, with tickets on sale at the gate and online.
Enticed by the tropical destination, World Number 23 Brandt Snedeker will headline a field which also stars Fijian hero and three time Major champion Vijay Singh.
This year, the Fiji International expands its global presence and confirms its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
A Pacific paradise, the Fiji International also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 4th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.
More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.
The Fiji International is proudly supported by the Fijian Government and Tourism Fiji as well as the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament until 2017.