- By PGA of Australia

The Open Championship winner Stewart Cink and PGA TOUR victor Smylie Kaufman will take part in the world-class field at next month’s 2019 Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.

The American duo will join compatriot Cameron Champ, back-to-back Australian PGA champion Cameron Smith and former world no.1 Adam Scott at RACV Royal Pines Resort at the 19-22 December tournament.

Cink, 46, and Kaufman, 27, will both aim to continue the Presidents Cup rivalry in hope of taking the Joe Kirkwood trophy – Australia’s oldest pro golf trophy – home to the US.

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, the owner and operator of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, said the 2019 season finale promises to wrap up one of the strongest summers of golf in Australian history.

“We’re incredibly excited Stewart Cink and Smylie Kaufman will compete at the Australian PGA Championship, which will conclude one of the strongest months of golf on our shores,” Mr Kirkman said.

“Sports fans will be engrossed in our sport with an incredibly strong Emirates Australian Open field followed by the world’s best competing at the Presidents Cup. Golf will be the sport of the season following what’s set to be an incredible period for our great game in Australia.

“Cink, a Major winner, and Kaufman, a never-say-die competitor, will add to the fun of the Australian PGA Championship.”

Cink, who was once fifth in the world, won The Open Championship in 2009 and was the PGA TOUR’s Rookie of the Year in 1997.

He recently tied for ninth at the PGA TOUR’s Houston Open.

Kaufman won the 2015 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and will be searching for a breakthrough victory at the Gold Coast.

Cameron Smith is hoping to create history by becoming the first person in more than 100 years to win three consecutive Australian PGA Championship titles.

For more information, visit championship.pga.org.au.