WA Open returns from 18-month hiatus

The WA Open will return to the Australasian PGA Tour schedule following an 18-month absence due to pandemic and border restrictions.

The relaxation of harsh COVID restrictions in Western Australia will see the century-old tournament return on April 28 at the Royal Fremantle Golf Club south of Perth and will follow the WA PGA in Kalgoorlie played the week prior.

Hayden Hopewell won the last WA Open in 2020 (Credit: PGA Australia)

“We’re absolutely delighted to have our flagship event back on the calendar, and we’re ready to go,” said Golf WA Chief Executive Gary Thomas.

“The thought of having top-level golf returning on a brilliant course and with fans able to watch is something that we might have taken for granted in the past, but certainly not now.”

“We’ve all gained perspective from the past 18 months to two years but we’re moving forward in a positive way, starting at Royal Fremantle later this month. It’s going to be amazing to have what we love back at centre-stage and we can’t wait.”

This month’s event will be played as the 2021 WA Open with the 2022 tournament set for later this year, possibly in October.

Western Australian amateur Hayden Hopewell won the title over fellow amateur Haydn Barron when it was last played in October 2020. Amateurs have won the title three times since 2016.

The WA Open was first played in 1913 and has been won by the likes of Gary Player, Greg Norman, Kel Nagle, Graham Marsh and Ian Baker-Finch.