Most fans assume a PGA Tour winner has played every major course on the globe, yet Matt Jones has never competed professionally in Auckland until now. The Australian star is set to tee off at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club in February 2027 for the Japan-Australasia Championship. This $1.2 million event sits in the middle of a massive three-week golf swing across New Zealand. Jones will face a field packed with top talent from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. His arrival changes the entire dynamic of the tournament, which already saw Travis Smyth win the inaugural edition in a six-hole playoff earlier this year.
A Fresh Challenge in the Pacific
Jones brings two big wins to the table: the 2014 Houston Open and the 2021 Honda Classic. He is stepping into a new market that has rarely seen a player of his caliber. Jones said, “I’ve heard plenty of good things about Royal Auckland and Grange and it will be great to finally get the chance to play there, especially in tournament conditions.” The event runs from February 18-21, placing it right between the NZ PGA Championship and the New Zealand Open. This schedule creates a unique rhythm for players who must adapt to three different courses in three weeks. Jones noted that the concept of bringing players from three nations together is a great idea after seeing the first tournament succeed.
Building on Early Success
The inaugural championship proved that the region can host high-level golf. Travis Smyth outlasted Jack Thompson to win the first title at this same course in March. Now, the organizers want to replicate that energy with a deeper field. Nick Dastey, the general manager of tournaments for the PGA Tour of Australasia, called Jones a “fantastic” addition to the lineup. Dastey stated that Jones will bring plenty of experience to what they expect will be another strong international field. Matt playing in Auckland for the first time is a chance for New Zealand fans the tour is particularly excited to give, he added. Dastey added that after the first championship’s triumph, Royal Auckland and Grange is set to host golfers and spectators again for an excellent golf week.
The stakes are high for a player looking to expand his global footprint. Jones has been quiet on the main US circuit recently, making this overseas stop a smart move to stay sharp. From February 11-14, the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club will hold the NZ PGA Championship as part of this three-week tour. The New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort, running from February 25-28, marks the end of the series. Fans in the region will see a rare concentration of top-tier talent in a short window. The Japan-Australasia Championship acts as the anchor for this entire block of play. With Jones on the entry list, the draw now looks significantly stronger than the first year.
