Event closing on big name

AUSTRALIAN PGA organisers say the announcement of headline players for the Gold Coast tournament is “imminent” despite the absence of hometown favourite Adam Scott.

Scott announced he would bypass the Australian summer this year before restarting his US PGA campaign in Hawaii in January.

A staunch supporter of Australian golf — and the PGA since its arrival on the Gold Coast — Scott has helped draw big crowds to Royal Pines in recent years and his absence will be a blow to the tournament.

PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said Scott would be missed.

“Adam Scott is a wonderful supporter of Australian golf and has provided Australian sports fans with plenty of highlights over the years including winning the Australian PGA Championship in 2013 as The Masters Champion,” Kirkman said.

“Of course every year, we would love to see all our Australian players come back home and play but we understand this is not always possible.

“Adam is an outstanding ambassador for Australian golf every time he tees it up and we hope that by taking a break following an arduous 2018 schedule, Adam comes out firing on the PGA TOUR in 2019.

“He will be missed this year but we look forward to welcoming Adam home in 2019.”

World No. 23 Marc Leishman will play the November 29-December 2 tournament,

while Cameron Smith is expected to defend his title at Royal Pines.

But the tournament that hosted Masters champion Sergio Garcia last year is yet to announce an overseas headliner.

And while Golf Australia, has announced Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker will contest the Australian Open, neither of the country’s major championships has yet secured a headline player inside the world top 20.

The inclusion of Garcia and Scott last year lifted crowds and corporate spend significantly, while the Australian PGA last year extended its contract with Royal Pines until 2020.

While Scott will be missing, Leishman is one of Australia’s most popular golfers and deals with overseas talent are in the pipeline.