Hong Kong protests prove a boon for NSW Open field

The postponement of the Hong Kong Open due to unrest there may prove a blessing for this week’s A.V. Jennings NSW Open at Twin Creeks.

Already the field for this popular warm-up event to the Australian Open has been increased from 144 to 156 players.

Brett Rumford (Credit: PGA Australia)

And several big-name players have been added to the field, including Australians Brett Rumford, Terry Pilkadaris and Andrew Dodt as well as Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung.

And an additional eight players who were next in line for automatic inclusion in the field, and who were required to pre-qualify on Monday, have been elevated into the tournament field.


According to CEO of Golf NSW, Stuart Fraser, the decision was a fairly easy one given the current situation in Hong Kong.

“Several players who were impacted by the postponement reached out to us for a start in the NSW Open,” said Fraser.

“Although it was late notice, we are happy to be able to accommodate them.”

PGA of Australia tournaments director (Australasia) Nick Dastey said the decision, in conjunction with the Tournament Players Council, was a simple one.



“The PGA of Australia is pleased to have worked in conjunction with Golf NSW to facilitate an outcome which has added some real quality to the A. V. Jennings NSW Open field,” said Dastey.

“By being adaptable, we have created an opportunity for 12 more of our members to play in this great championship.

“And this is a good outcome for everyone.”

The 2019 A. V. Jennings NSW Open will be contested at the highly-rated Graham Marsh designed Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club from Thursday (November 28) until Sunday (December 1).

The honour roll in this event boasts such names as Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Frank Phillips, Ted Ball, Bill Dunk, Kel Nagle, Jack Newton and former amateur star Tony Gresham.