The Fiji International is just around the corner and some of Australia and New Zealand’s most experienced Touring Professionals will be jetting in for the tournament.
Making the trip to Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course this year are Peter O’Malley, Peter Fowler, David Smail and Nathan Green.
Peter O’Malley
Australian Peter O’Malley began his career as a Professional golfer in 1987 and spent the majority of his career competing on the European Tour full time until 2010. During that time he racked up three victories on what is one of the largest and most competitive Tours in the world.
Always a big supporter of him home Tour, O’Malley who is affectionately known as Pom, has also won five tournaments on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the most recent being the 2010 New South Wales Open.
Pom still has what it takes to compete against the young players on Tour, and while they may hit the ball along way past him, his accuracy is envied by many and will certainly come in handy on the challenging Fiji International layout.
Peter Fowler
One of the most experienced players in the field and most prolific winners of tournaments internationally Peter “Chook” Fowler has been a Tour Professional since 1977.
He spent the majority of his career competing on the European Tour where he was highly consistent.
When he turned 50 in 2009 he joined the European Seniors Tour where he is once again forging a highly successful career.
Although he mainly spends his time competing with the over-50’s he remains competitive with the young guns on the PGA Tour of Australasia when he returns to his home Tour to compete.
Don’t let Chook’s age fool you this man is here to win! Already this year he has won back-to-back tournaments on the European Seniors Tour and recorded a further three top-10 finishes.
Competing against his younger counterparts this year he has shown he can give them a run for their money. He finished tied 7th at the New Zealand Open in March.
David Smail
New Zealander David Smail returns to Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course with good memories.
Last year Smail fired a course record 5-under 67 in the third round which helped him finish tied 12th.
An experienced Professional, it was no surprise to see Smail going low last year, he has already won twice on the PGA Tour of Australasia and five times on the Japan Golf Tour in his career which began back in 1992.
Still competing full time in Japan, Smail has had a best finish of tied fourth in the 2015 season and will be looking to bring that form with him to the Fiji International.
Nathan Green
Australian Nathan Green turned Professional in 1998 and spent the early part of his career competing on the PGA Tour of Australasia and Canadian Tour.
In 2002 he had the opportunity to play on the Web.com Tour in the United States which is the support Tour for the PGA TOUR. After doing his time and gaining experience he eventually broke through and in 2006 he graduated to the PGA TOUR.
He became an Aussie stalwart on the worlds most lucrative Tour recording his only victory at the Canadian Open in 2009, however notched up plenty of high places finishes in his time.
Green now focuses his time competing on his home Tour and is learning how to coach the game of golf as he raises his own family in his hometown of Newcastle in New South Wales.
While the field may be awash with plenty of big hitting young Professionals, sometime the cool heads of experience shine through and on a challenging layout like Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course our Tour veterans O’Malley, Fowler, Smail and Green will be men to watch.
Tickets for the Fiji International to be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October are now on sale at TOTAL Service Stations or can be purchased online from www.fijiinternational.com