ADELAIDE, Australia — A significant change is scheduled for the Women’s Australian Open, which will resume as an independent event in 2026, officially terminating Golf Australia’s initiative of conducting both men’s and women’s competitions simultaneously. The tournament, which was held alongside the men from 2022 to 2024 utilizing a mixed and alternate-tees format, will now be co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and transitioned to a March schedule. It is set to occur from March 12-15 at Kooyonga Golf Club in Adelaide.
Golf Australia announced that Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, has been chosen as the venue for the tournament over the subsequent three years. Although the detailed 2026 LPGA Tour schedule is yet to be disclosed, the U.S.-based tour usually includes co-sanctioned events within Asia during February and March. This timing could potentially increase opportunities for international players from the Asian continent to travel to Australia, including recent Women’s PGA champion Minjee Lee, who currently stands as Australia’s leading women’s golfer.
In other developments from Golf Australia, it has recently been revealed that Rory McIlroy will be the main attraction for the men’s Australian Open this year, taking place at Royal Melbourne from December 4-7. Additionally, this year’s Masters champion has committed to competing at Kingston Heath, another prominent sandbelt course in Melbourne, slated for 2026.