Matt Jones Confirmed for 2027 ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship

Top Player Joins Auckland Field

Australian professional Matt Jones, a two-time Australian Open champion and PGA Tour winner, is confirmed to compete in the 2027 ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship. The second iteration of this international event will return to the Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club in New Zealand, scheduled for February 18–21, 2027.

With a prize fund of US$1.2 million, the tournament will feature players from the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Japan Golf Tour, alongside other international professionals. This championship is designed to foster closer ties within the golf community across Australasia and Japan.

Jones' First Professional Appearance in Auckland

Jones, recognised as one of Australia’s most accomplished players over the last two decades, will make his first professional appearance in Auckland at this championship. His career includes victories at the Australian Open in 2015 and 2019, as well as PGA Tour titles at the 2014 Houston Open and the 2021 Honda Classic.

Jones expressed his anticipation for the event, noting he has heard positive feedback about Royal Auckland & Grange and looks forward to experiencing the course under tournament conditions. He also highlighted his excitement about participating in an event that brings together players from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Forging Regional Golf Connections

The ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship was established to enhance the golfing relationship between Australasia and Japan, offering fans an opportunity to see top regional professionals compete.

The inaugural tournament, held in 2023, was the first men’s professional event in Auckland in twenty years and concluded with Australia’s Travis Smyth winning after a six-hole playoff against Jack Thompson.

Nick Dastey, General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships for the PGA Tour of Australasia, stated that the championship proved a valuable addition to their tour. Japan Golf Tour Organization Chairman Yutaka Morohoshi also conveyed the JGTO’s enthusiasm for returning to Auckland in 2027, praising the venue and the support received during the first event.

ISPS HANDA's Vision for Sport

Title partner ISPS HANDA continues its support for the championship, aligning with its long-standing commitment to developing golf and using the sport to build understanding across the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Haruhisa Handa, ISPS HANDA Chairman and Founder, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to leveraging sport, particularly golf, for positive social transformation.

He mentioned their ongoing support for disability golf and the championship’s role in promoting exchange between Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, strengthening cultural and sporting ties.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill added that the championship is a significant addition to Auckland’s major events calendar, with Matt Jones’s participation generating considerable interest.

Implications for Asia-Pacific Golf

The return of the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship reinforces efforts to integrate professional golf circuits in the Asia-Pacific. For travelling golfers and industry stakeholders, this event signifies a consistent platform for players from the Japan Golf Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia to compete and develop within the region.

The tournament’s continued presence in Auckland provides a tangible opportunity for fans in New Zealand and wider Asia to witness high-calibre play.

The collaboration between tours and the commitment from ISPS HANDA demonstrate a sustained focus on fostering regional talent and expanding golf’s reach, which could lead to more cross-border events and increased golf tourism interest in the coming years.