The Fiji International field will feature some highly experienced and credentialed players when the tournament tees off at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 17-20 August.
While the young stars of golf are looking to boost their career prospects at the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, Asian Tour and European Tour tri-sanctioned tournament, they will need to overcome proven champions.
Stephen Leaney: from Western Australia but residing in Adelaide, Stephen at the height of his career was ranked inside the top-50 players in the world. He has 13 career victories on his resume including four on the European Tour and seven on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. In 2003, Stephen was a dominant force in world golf finishing runner-up at the U.S. Open and representing the International Team, alongside Vijay Singh, at the Presidents Cup. Stephen has been a strong supporter of the Fiji International, playing every year since 2014 with his best result being tied 29th last year.
Peter Lonard: much loved by Australian golf fans, Peter has recently turned 50 and made his debut on the Seniors Tour finishing tied 3rd at the prestigious Senior Open Championship. In his younger years, Peter was a dominant player in Australia winning nine times on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. During his career, Peter played on the European Tour but found his home on the PGA TOUR in America where he won in 2005 and also worked his way into the top-50 players in the world. Like Stephen Leaney and Vijay Singh, Peter was a member of the International Team at the 2003 Presidents Cup and then again in 2005. Peter will be looking for a better result at the Fiji International this year than in his debut when he missed the cut in 2016.
Brendan Jones: from Canberra, Brendan Jones is one of the most prolific winners of all time on the Japan Golf Tour and is a much loved player in the land of the rising sun. Since Brendan’s first victory in 2002 he has won a further 13 times on the Japan Golf Tour. During his career Brendan has also played on the Web.com Tour where he also won and then went on to spend a year playing on the PGA TOUR. Despite being one of Australia’s most prolific winners in recent times, Brendan is yet to record a victory on his home tour; the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. He will be looking to change that at the Fiji International. This will be Brendan’s second time at the tournament after he played the inaugural event finishing tied 15th.
Jeev Milkha Singh: One of the best golfers India has produced, Singh is a multiple winner across multiple Tours. A pioneer of golf for his country, he was the first Indian to be ranked inside the top-50 in the world and also the first Indian to compete in The Masters. Singh’s last win came in 2012 at the Scottish Open so it has been some time between victories; however any golfer who can finish top-10 in a Major as he did at the PGA Championship in 2008 should not be underestimated.
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 17-20 August with entry free for Fijian residents. The tournament will also be broadcast live around the world including on Fiji TV and FBC.