Jointly organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM), and IMG, and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Macau Golf Association, the SJM Macao Open 2026 will return to Macao from 15–18 October 2026 at the Macau Golf & Country Club.
With a total prize purse of USD 1 million, this year's tournament will feature a 144-player field headlined by 2016 Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson and Korean star Sungjae Im, alongside Asian Tour champions and rising talents from the region.
A press conference was held today to unveil tournament highlights, the player lineup, and fan experiences. Guests of honour included Ms. Lei Si Leng, Acting President of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM Resorts, S.A.; Ms. Jasmine Lim, Vice President, Global Partnerships, IMG Golf; Mr. David Rollo, Chief Operating Officer, Asian Tour; Mr. Johnny Senna Fernandes, President of the Macau Golf Association; Mr. Philip Cheang, Vice President, Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Ms. Debby Fu, Acting Vice President, Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Chinese golf legend and two-time Macao Open champion Mr. Zhang Lianwei; Chinese rising star Sampson Zheng Yunhe; top local finisher at SJM Macao Open 2025 Mr. Ma Kaijun; and Mr. Eddie Li, General Manager of Macau Golf & Country Club.
Stenson said, "I am delighted to be coming to the vibrant city of Macao for the first time to compete at the SJM Macao Open this October. Many of the world's best have played at the Macau Golf & Country Club, and I cannot wait to experience the course for myself and hopefully see my name amongst the greats on its roll of honor."
Im added: "I am looking forward to returning to Macao this October to compete at the SJM Macao Open. I had a top-10 finish last year and hope to do even better this time around. I really enjoyed my time off the course in Macao last year with the warm welcome and great hospitality provided by SJM, and I am excited to revisit some of the places I visited and explore new ones."
Ms. Lei Si Leng said: "SJM Macao Open has become one of Asia's most representative and influential international golf events. It not only fully demonstrates Macao's professional capability to host world-class large-scale sports events, but also successfully combines international sports with Macao's unique cultural heritage, showcasing Macao's distinct charm to the world. This year, community promotion efforts will be further deepened to introduce golf to people of different age groups. There are also plans to add cultural elements to the event and set up cultural and creative product booths at the venue. This will make the international event more diversified, while driving the development of Macao's tourism and society through the synergy between sports and culture."
Ms. Daisy Ho commented, "The Macao Open is not only a stage for the world's leading golfers to compete, but also an important platform through which SJM advances the integration of sports and tourism. Through this iconic event on the Asian Tour, we hope to showcase Macau's diverse tourism appeal to the world and further strengthen its position as a vibrant 'City of Sports'."
Mr. David Rollo added, "The SJM Macao Open is without a doubt one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the Asian Tour calendar. It is a true flagship tournament with a rich history that our players love, and the stunning views at Macau Golf & Country Club provide a spectacular backdrop. We look forward to continuing to grow this event with the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, SJM, Macau Golf Association, IMG, and other key partners."
Also set to compete is defending champion Dominic Foos. The 28-year-old produced a dramatic comeback last year from six shots behind at the start of Round Four, winning on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff against Chinese Taipei's Wang Wei-hsuan, becoming the first German to win an Asian Tour event since 1996. Foos said: "I am thrilled to return to the SJM Macao Open this year. Winning here last October was one of the most defining moments of my career so far. Macao is an amazing city, and I got to discover that for myself last year. The support from the spectators and the atmosphere throughout the week made the victory even more special. I am excited to return and compete against some of the best players in the region once again."
Chinese golf pioneer Zhang Lianwei—a two-time Macao Open winner and the only player to have successfully defended the title—will also return. He said, "The Macao Open will always have a special place in my heart and I consider it my home tournament. Winning it in 2001 and 2002 gave me a lot of confidence, and that contributed to the success I had on the tour the following few years. I am always happy to return to play in Macao, and I am delighted to see its contribution to growing the sport and developing talents in the region."
Chinese rising star Sampson Zheng Yunhe has also confirmed his participation. The 23-year-old won the US Amateur Four-Ball Championship 2023 and made his major debut at The Open Championship last year after advancing through Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club. He said: "I always enjoy playing in Macao. Everything is so convenient, and the course is just incredible. I played the last two years and made the cut both times. I look forward to returning to do even better this time."
Starting this year, the tournament will offer a dedicated invitation to the top-performing Macao golfer from the previous year's tournament, creating a new pathway for local players to compete on an international stage. This year's recipient is Ma Kaijun, the top local finisher at SJM Macao Open 2025. The 22-year-old Old Dominion University graduate said, "I am thrilled to be allowed to compete at the SJM Macao Open again. It always feels amazing to play in front of a home crowd, and I will do my best to represent Macao once more this year. The tournament allows young players like myself to test our game against some of the best in the world, and I will always be thankful to the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, SJM, and the Macau Golf Association for the opportunities they provide as I continue my journey to become a professional golfer."
The SJM Macao Open Qualifier will return in September at the Macau Golf & Country Club. First introduced in 2024, the qualifier provides additional pathways for emerging players by offering a chance to compete for places in the main draw. The tournament will also continue its community outreach efforts, bringing golf closer to Macao neighbourhoods and reaching a wider audience.
Mr. Johnny Senna Fernandes commented: "The SJM Macao Open is vital for the development of golf in Macao. Together with our partners, we will continue to grow Macao's sport and golf culture, develop local talent, and give our rising stars every chance to succeed. The SJM Macao Open will continue to offer the best opportunity for our top local talents to compete against the best in the world and empower the next generation to dream big and swing for the greens."
Grant Slack, executive vice president and managing director, IMG Golf, said, "In its 23rd edition, the Macao Open is one of Asia's longest-running and most prestigious professional golf tournaments. The tournament has delivered many career-defining moments for players over the years and wonderful fan experiences both on and off the course. IMG remains committed to working closely with all partners to continue elevating Macao's premier sporting showcase, in collaboration with the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, SJM, the Asian Tour, and the Macau Golf Association. I want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone for their invaluable contribution to the SJM Macao Open."
Admission to the SJM Macao Open 2026 will once again be free. Fans can register for complimentary tickets from today, with each person able to request up to four tickets. For more information and to secure tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com.
Related News:
Comment