Australian star Min Woo Lee has committed to playing the Australian Open in November, with the defending Australian PGA champion set for a big few months to end a bumper 2024 that included his maiden Olympics.

He’s the first major commitment to the dual-gender tournament, which is back on the Melbourne sandbelt with hopes remaining the door being opened to a Masters invitation for last year’s winner could prompt a flood of big names to play.

Watch every round of the PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Chilean LIV Golf star Joaquin Niemann was included in the field at Augusta after chairman Fred Ridley called out his effort to go and play around the world for the world ranking points not available on his own tour while highlighting the significance of the Australian Open as one of the “great, great championships in the world”.

Jason Day, who partnered Lee at the Olympics, is also set to play his first Australian Open since 2017 but is yet to confirm his presence, with the likes of LIV star Cameron Smith certain to be a drawcard again.

Lee, 26, who missed out on progression to the second event in the lucrative PGA Tour playoffs, lit up Royal Queensland last year to win the PGA and had bumper crowds flocking to see him fall just short of a historic double at the Open, finishing third behind Niemann at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

Having risen to a career-high ranking of 30 this year, his maiden full season on the US PGA Tour, Lee teamed up with Day at the Paris Olympics and is also in line to make his first Presidents Cup team.

He’ll head back to Australia later this year armed with new experiences and new levels of confidence in pursuit of the Stonehaven Cup.

“I’m so excited to be coming back home to play this year, and after last summer I know the vibe and atmosphere at the Australian Open will be incredible,” Lee said.

“It’s been a huge year playing overseas, especially representing Australia at the Olympics and being full-time on the PGA Tour, and I can think of no better way to finish than coming home and contending and hopefully winning the Stonehaven Cup.

“The crowds last year in Australia were incredible and, as everyone knows, I love playing in front of big crowds.

“I hope as many people as possible get around the event and come and watch us play.”

The men’s and women’s Australian Open will be played at Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs from November 28, with $3.4m in prizemoney up for grabs.

“Melbourne golf is known around the world, and it is awesome that the Australian Open is back on the sandbelt,” Lee said.

“Kingston Heath and Victoria are two of the best courses in the world and it’s exciting to have the chance to play them in a tournament again.”