Three Australian Professionals are setting their sights on Fiji’s premier golf tournament in 2015, the Fiji International, in hope of securing another title to add to an already successful year on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
David Bransdon, Aaron Townsend and Matt Miller, who travel the Tour together, are ready to take on the picturesque Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October; continuing a season that has produced big victories for the Aussie trio.
Bransdon is fresh off a momentous win at last week’s Isuzu Queensland Open after surviving an epic three hole playoff to secure his first significant title in two years after just missing out at the BMW New Zealand Open in March where he finished runner-up to Jordan Zunic.
A solid win on the PGA Tour of Australasia this year puts Bransdon in good stead leading into this year’s tournament and he is excited about playing the Vijay Singh designed layout.
“It’s a fantastic venue at Natadola, it’s a very tough golf course, it’s certainly a good test of golf and rewards good play,” said Bransdon.
Bransdon’s two top three finishes have propelled him up the PGA Tour of Australasia money list, which currently sees him sitting in second place behind Zunic.
“To win in Queensland and my finish earlier in the year in New Zealand has put me in a good place on the Order of Merit and I’m looking forward to playing for some good prize money in Fiji to consolidate my performance.”
Townsend kick started his 2015 PGA Tour of Australasia season early, claiming victory at the Victorian PGA Championship in February after he holed an incredible bunker shot on the 18th in stormy conditions to win the tournament by one shot.
Townsend will head to Fiji after playing qualifying tournaments in Japan and is excited about teeing it up at Natadola Bay for a second time.
“Last years tournament was great, it’s a beautiful backdrop, it’s hard to get upset with your golf at times,” said Townsend.
“The tournament was really well run and it was one of the best tournaments we played last year.”
Millar made his Tour presents felt in March, securing victory at the Holden New Zealand PGA Championship following three top-10 finishes in his first three starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia this year.. In June, Miller also won the Qantas Fiji Teams Challenge, a pro-am event, played at Natadola Bay and backed that up with a further top-10 finish at the Queensland Open last week.
“The Fiji International is great tournament and the first year went very well, everything was there and available to both players and spectators,” said Millar, who also echoed Bransdon’s comments in relation to the challenges players face on course.
“The golf course is fabulous, but very tough and demanding for the players, particularly with the wind. It’s a good test of golf at a great facility.”
Both Millar and Townsend will be hoping the golfing gods shine on them this year at the Fiji International after both missed the cut in 2014.
“I didn’t play that well in 2014 so I’m looking forward to putting on a better show this year, ” said Townsend.
For Bransdon and Millar, it’s a case of those who play together stay together with the pair travelling to New Caledonia to compete in the South Pacific Open Championship prior to their arrival in Fiji.
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October. Tickets are currently on sale, view all ticketing options.