The Fiji International is earning a reputation amongst the world’s best golfers as a unique tournament in a tropical location that both the Pros and their families can enjoy.
With only 16 days to go until Fiji’s premier golf tournament tees off, we take a look at some of the International stars heading to Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course to tee it up in October at the Fiji International.
Matt Kuchar (United States)
Last year’s field was impressive, but attracting a player of Matt Kuchar calibre is a huge win for Fiji. The seven-time PGA TOUR winner was the first marquee player announced to headline this year’s tournament. Ranked at number 15 in the world, this will be Kuchar’s first appearance at the Fiji International. It’s been a busy year for Kuchar who has missed the cut only once from 22 starts, with his best finish coming at the Franklin Templeton Shootout where he finished second. With the Fiji International earning a reputation amongst the world’s best golfers as the place to play, Kuchar could be the first of many international stars heading to Fiji in the years to come.
Steven Jeffress (Australia)
Defending champion Steven Jeffress will be back in action at this year’s Fiji International and will be on a quest to secure back-to-back victories. Jeffress has made the cut four times from five starts this season with his best finish coming at the Queensland PGA Championship where he finished tied for 11th place. Jeffress has had big success on the domestic PGA Pro-Am circuit this year; teeing it up in 10 local events and winning in four. In 2014 Jeffress finish in 3rd place on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit and earned him a place in the field at the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral – Blue Monster. It will be great to see Jeffress return to the Pacific and go head-to-head with a strong field.
Ryan Fox (New Zealand)
Ryan Fox has been in dynamic form on the European Challenge Tour this year and is almost certain to gain a full Tour card for the European Tour in 2016. Fox claimed his first Challenge Tour victory in France at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in July, following an impressive top-50 finish at The Open Championship at St Andrews, Scotland. Fox is a regular on the PGA Tour of Australasia, not to mention a two-time winner on the Tour. In 2014, Fox finished tied 6th at the Fiji International and given his current form it is expected he will once again be a strong contender in 2015.
Nick Cullen (Australia)
Cullen’s victory at the 2014 Australian Masters catapulted him onto the international stage and secured him an invite to the lucrative WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in August. On the PGA Tour of Australasia, Cullen has made two cuts from three starts this season with his best finish as runner up at the Oates Victorian Open. Cullen, who has had starts on the Japan Golf Tour and OneAsia, had his first international win back in 2012 securing the Jakarta Indonesia Open. Cullen will tee off in the Fiji International for a second time and will be hoping to improve on his top-30 finish last year.
It’s not everyday that you get to see some of the worlds best golfers on the idyllic shores of Fiji. The excitement surrounding this year’s Fiji International continues to build it what promises to be a fun filled week for all Fijians.
The Fiji International will be played at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October and will be broadcast around the world.
Tickets are currently on sale through the Fiji International website www.fijiinternational.com