The largest-ever contingent of professional golfers are competing the 2025 PNG Open golf tournament.
Speaking at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club on Thursay as the tournament teed off, Prime Minister James Marape said the four-day event, which is part of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, has brought together over 120 professional golfers from across four continents, surpassing previous records and cementing PNG’s status as a hub for major international sporting events.
Marape declared the 2025 PNG Open a milestone moment for both the sport and the country’s international profile.
“For the first time, we have gone past 100 professional golfers competing in our country, 120 in total, including seven female professionals who will join our top women golfers in a separate event this weekend,” he said.
“Sport sells our country’s image to the world, and this tournament shows that PNG can successfully host athletes from all corners of the globe.”
The field includes competitors from the United States, Spain, Korea, Japan, Fiji, the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, and beyond, marking a truly global contest. Spain is represented for the first time, while the United States has sent more than 10 players from various states.
PM Marape added that the event coincided with Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary, making it a showcase not only for golf but also for the country’s culture, hospitality, and potential as a safe and attractive destination.
As the Patron of the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club, the Prime Minister extended his gratitude to the PNG Golf Association and the PGA Tour of Australasia for their long-standing partnership, and especially to naming rights sponsor Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited (KMHL).
“Without KMHL’s support, this event would have been far more challenging to stage in today’s economic climate. On behalf of the country, I thank them for backing this historic tournament,” Mr Marape said.
PNG Golf Association president Ian Hodge said the tournament’s growth was a testament to years of planning and dedication.
He added that the addition of the women’s competition featuring seven professionals from Australia and eight of PNG’s best female golfers was a deliberate move to promote gender equality and inclusion in the sport, while reinforcing PNG’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for international visitors.
Tournament Director Graeme Scott of the PGA Tour of Australasia praised the warm reception given to players and noted the high caliber of competition this year.
“This is my fifth visit to PNG for the Open, and the field just keeps getting stronger. Players who may never have heard of PNG are now promoting it to the world through their own channels. The inclusion of the women’s event also aligns perfectly with our push to grow women’s golf in our region,” he said.
The 2025 PNG Open will run until Sunday, with the men’s field cut to 55 after the first two rounds. The women’s competition will be held over the weekend, integrated into the main event.