South Australia is getting ready to tee up a new era in international women’s golf, securing the Women’s Australian Open for the next three years. The announcement, made on the North Adelaide Golf Course by Premier Peter Malinauskas alongside Golf Australia and WPGA officials, is more than a calendar event—it signals South Australia’s bid to become the leading destination for world-class golf tournaments.
Next year’s Women’s Australian Open is set to return to Kooyonga Golf Club from 12 to 15 March. The championship will feature on both the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the Ladies European Tour, with many of the world’s top female golfers expected to compete. The event’s return to South Australia comes after a five-year hiatus, with the last Kooyonga edition held in 2018.
This commitment to women’s golf builds on the state’s expanding sporting profile. Earlier this year, the Malinauskas Government secured LIV Golf Adelaide through to 2031. The 2024 edition alone pumped over $81 million into the local economy, setting a high bar for what events like the Open might achieve in the years ahead.
Speaking at the launch, Premier Malinauskas said the partnership would “take the Women’s Australian Open to new heights,” adding that the broader investment in the North Adelaide Golf Course would create a public venue capable of hosting elite international tournaments. “We are investing in North Adelaide Golf Course as the new host venue for LIV Golf Adelaide and the Women’s Australian Open, along with other major tournaments,” he said.
The state’s pitch is not just economic. The government is placing particular emphasis on inclusion, talent development, and health benefits. Assistant Minister Emily Bourke framed the announcement as part of a wider push to back women in sport. “We want to inspire the next generation of stars and are providing more pathways for young athletes to get active and thrive,” she said. “This isn’t just about hosting an event. It’s about showing girls and women that they belong at the top level.”
It’s an ambition echoed by Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland, who sees the move as a long-overdue boost to women’s golf. “Securing South Australia as the host of this historic and highly regarded event for the next three years is a win for players and fans alike,” he said. “Kooyonga will provide the perfect stage to showcase the incredible talent set to feature in the field.”
That field could include past champions such as Jiyai Shin, Ash Buhai, and Lydia Ko, as well as emerging local players. Australia hasn’t had a homegrown winner since Karrie Webb in 2014, and WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn is hoping the drought ends soon. “I am certain our players will be determined to break the Aussie drought in 2026 and lift the Patricia Bridges Bowl,” she said.
Lunn also praised Adelaide’s history with big-ticket tournaments. “Adelaide has a proven track record in hosting headline events, including previous Australian Opens,” she said. “The current number of Aussie players teeing it up on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour shows we continue to punch above our weight.”
State MLCs Connie Bonaros and Sarah Game gave the decision a political tick. Bonaros, who advocated for the tournament’s return, said it reflected a “bold commitment to elevating women’s sport.” Game added that investing in the North Adelaide course would support tourism and encourage more locals to play.
The upgraded venue is expected to cater to everyday golfers while also transforming into a stage for professional showdowns. The goal is to make world-class golf feel less out of reach—both for players and spectators.
The timing of the announcement comes amid growing interest in women’s sport and increasing scrutiny over how public funds are allocated across codes and genders. By locking in the Open and LIV Golf, the state is betting on a dual strategy: economic returns and cultural impact.
For many, the excitement will lie in the leaderboard and the spectacle of a global tournament returning to home turf. But beneath the marquee names and television deals is a quieter push: to get more women onto fairways, more girls picking up clubs, and more people seeing golf as something they can try.
The real test of this three-year commitment won’t just be crowd numbers or hotel bookings. It’ll be whether South Australians, especially young women, begin to see golf as their game, too.
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