The event will be played over four rounds, from September 17-20, and provide an outstanding opportunity for golfers ‘Down Under’ to earn playing rights on the Asian Tour by starting the process on home soil.
The top-placed finishers will secure places in the Tour’s Final Qualifying Stage – where the top-35 will earn their cards for the 2025 season.
Last year Mt Derrimut became just the second venue in Australia to host an Asian Tour Qualifying School event and the success of the tournament paved the way for its return this season.
Up-and-coming Australian star Jack Thompson won the 2023 Asian Tour Qualifying School . Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Australian Lachlan Barker (main picture) triumphed at Mt Derrimut last year and later went on to claim his Asian Tour card at the Final Stage, finishing in 30th position. His compatriot Maverick Antcliff also made it through the Australian qualifier and earned his card, finishing 17th. Antcliff has made the most of his opportunities on the Asian Tour already this season and currently sits seventh on The International Series Rankings.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour, said: “Staging a First Stage Qualifier at Mt Derrimut Golf and Community Club was met with a chorus of approval and made the decision to return in 2024 a mere formality.
“Mt Derrimut was an outstanding host and allowed us to once again embrace the Australian golf community – where we have such strong and long-standing ties.
“Lachlan’s and Maverick’s journey from qualification through to winning Asian Tour playing privileges is a fine example of what can be achieved and validation of our decision to start school in one of the game’s most prominent golfing nations.”
“We are thrilled to be selected again to host the Australian leg of the Asian Tour Qualifying School in September 2024,” said Ian Crews, Manager, Mt Derrimut Golf and Community Club.
“We are grateful for the recognition and pleased to be able to provide a pathway for Australian golfers to participle on the Asian Tour and further their golfing careers.”
Maverick Antcliff made it through at Mt Derrimut last year and went on to secure his Asian Tour card at Final Stage. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg took top spot at the Final Stage of this year’s Qualifying School, played at Springfield Royal Country Club and Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Thailand.
Six Australians finished in the top-35: in addition to Barker and Antcliff, Justin Warren, Sam Brazel, Jordan Zunic, and Harrison Crowe all made it through.
Many of the leading Australian players on the Asian Tour were quick to support staging a First Stage Qualifier on home ground last year.
Four-time Asian Tour winner Wade Ormsby said: “It’s fantastic! There are a lot of guys in Australia asking questions on how they can get onto Tours worldwide and Asia has made it quite accessible for guys to have that opportunity.”
Jack Thompson, who claimed top spot at Final Stage 2023, added: “I think it’s great. I think financially as well, for the Aussie guys, you’re only going to have to make one trip up if you get through. I think it will be good for them and there will be a decent turnout for that First Stage.”
Details of the other First Stage Qualifiers and the Final Stage will be announced shortly but the Final Stage will be moved from its traditional January timeslot into the third week of December. Registration for the 2025 Asian Tour Qualifying School will begin in early July.