A record-breaking €350,000 (AUD $600,000 approx) will be on offer, cementing the championship as one of the most significant events on Australia’s women’s golf calendar.
The Jan Stephenson Trophy will once again be up for grabs, with the dramatic coastal layout promising to challenge and excite a world-class field. Following a memorable staging at Wollongong in 2025, the Ford Women’s NSW Open will again showcase the city’s spectacular links-style course, just steps from the beach and overlooking sweeping ocean views.
Co-sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the Ladies European Tour (LET), the 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open will deliver vital world ranking points, top-level international competition and career-defining opportunities for Australia’s emerging stars.
Golf NSW chief executive officer Stuart Fraser said the record prize purse and return to Wollongong marked a landmark moment for the tournament.
“This is the biggest Women’s NSW Open in history, both in terms of prize money and profile,” Mr Fraser said.
“Wollongong Golf Club proved in 2025 that it provides a world-class stage for this tournament. Bringing the Ford Women’s NSW Open back in 2026 gives players, fans and partners the chance to experience another unforgettable week of golf.
“This event continues to deliver on every level. It attracts international talent, creates opportunities for emerging players and inspires the next generation to see what’s possible in the women’s game.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said the event’s growth reflected the rising profile of women’s golf in Australia.
Mimi Rhodes of England putts during the second round of the Ford New South Wales Open at Wollongong Golf Club. (PHOTO: Tristan Jones / LET)
“The Ford Women’s NSW Open continues to play a vital role for women’s golf in Australia. With a record prize purse and a world-class venue at Wollongong Golf Club, this championship not only attracts elite talent from across the globe, but also inspires the next generation of players.
“We are proud to partner with Golf NSW and the Ladies European Tour to deliver an event that celebrates excellence, opportunity and the growth of women’s golf.”
Ladies European Tour CEO Alexandra Armas said the tournament holds an important place on the international calendar.
“Australia holds a special place on the LET calendar, with the Ford Women’s NSW Open continuing to attract some of the world’s most talented players – and Mimi Rhodes’ impressive victory in 2025 is a testament to the championship’s international calibre.
“We are thrilled to return to Wollongong in 2026, where the combination of a record prize fund, a spectacular coastal venue and a strong field promises another unforgettable week. We are proud to partner with Golf NSW and the WPGA Tour of Australasia to provide our players with such great opportunities to compete on a global stage.”
With players, families and officials set to descend on Wollongong, the event is expected to deliver a major boost to the local economy. Hotels, restaurants and businesses across the region will benefit from the influx of visitors, while the broadcast of the final two rounds will showcase Wollongong’s iconic setting to golf fans worldwide.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper, who also leads the jobs and tourism portfolios, said the Open would be a boost for both women’s sport and tourism in the Illawarra.
“The Women’s NSW Open is a fantastic opportunity for future golf talent to witness and be inspired by some of the world’s top female golfers in action,” he said.
“It will also showcase the stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop of Wollongong Golf Club to a wide audience, putting Wollongong on the must-visit list for golfers wanting to experience one of the nation’s most picturesque courses.”
The 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Founded in 1897, Wollongong Golf Club is one of Australia’s oldest clubs. Its 18-hole links layout sits right on the beach, just a short walk from the city centre. With panoramic views stretching north to Stanwell Park and south to Port Kembla, it offers a stunning and challenging stage for players vying for the prestigious Jan Stephenson Trophy.
First staged in 2006, the Women’s NSW Open has launched the careers of some of the game’s biggest stars. Dame Laura Davies, one of the all-time greats, lifted the trophy in 2008, while Kiwi prodigy Lydia Ko famously claimed her first professional victory here at just 13 years old in 2012. NSW’s Sarah Oh (2009–10) and England’s Meghan MacLaren (2018–19) are the only players to have successfully defended the title, further underlining the tournament’s reputation for producing defining moments in women’s golf.
Tournament Facts: 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open
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