What’s the one big thing that makes any tournament stand out? Well, it’s the players, of course—those who elevate the prestige of the event. But even the best players need motivation, and one of the biggest driving factors is often the massive prize money on offer.

That said, the Ford NSW Open has been in full swing at the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club since November 14. After a six-event qualifying series across the state, the tournament comes with one of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s biggest prize purses, and you can feel the buzz as the competition heads into its final round.

The event was last held in March 2023, and now, for the first time in five years, it’s back in the spring/summer window. For those who don’t know, this tournament is supported by Destination NSW, the state’s tourism and major events agency. It wasn’t part of the tour last season due to a scheduling change, but it’s back with a vengeance this year.

Thanks to Stuart Fraser, CEO of Golf NSW, there’s no such issue this year—in fact, it’s all turning into a win. “This year’s NSW Open presents a fantastic opportunity for us to ensure the tournament maintains its standing as the most prestigious State Championship on the Australian golf calendar,” Fraser shared when announcing the dates. And he’s definitely backed up that claim. With a $800,000 prize fund, the tournament has attracted a ton of player interest. Aussie stars like Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert have made the trip out to the Murray River region, alongside 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.

But let’s be real—it’s not just the money these seasoned pros are after. The NSW Open serves as the perfect prelude to the BMW Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, two of the biggest events on the Australian golf calendar. So, as the tournament nears its end, it’ll be exciting to see who takes home the trophy!

Who will claim the victory at the 2024 Ford NSW Open?

The stage is set at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club as the 2024 Ford NSW Open heads into its final day. The crowd magnet Cameron Smith has already graced the course, putting on a show for hundreds of fans in Saturday’s round. Now, all eyes are on the leaderboard to see if the 2022 Open Champion can hold his nerve and seal the deal.

Smith looked unstoppable for most of yesterday, stunning the course with a 5-under 66. His three birdies on the back nine stretched his lead, although a double bogey on the 17th put a slight dent in his otherwise impressive scorecard. “It was really a shame to not finish as good as I wanted to,” Smith admitted. Yet, with his three-round lead and a cool head under pressure, he’s still the man to beat. “Leading into the last day is where you want to be,” Smith said, and despite a bit of turbulence, he knows he’s still got what it takes to finish strong.

Right behind him is Blake Lamb, a 23-year-old rising star sitting at 13 under. Lamb’s been quietly consistent all week, but yesterday’s 67 proved he’s ready to take a big swing—literally—at Smith’s lead. And he’s not the least bit intimidated. “I want to be the best, and you’ve got to play with the best to be the best,” Lamb said oozing out confidence. With back-to-back runner-up finishes earlier this season, Lamb is itching to break through for his first win on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.

Another player to look forward to in this tournament is Lucas Herbert, tied for third at 11-under along with Josh Geary and Simpson. Simpson has quietly flown under the radar this week, but his steady 3-under 68 yesterday has kept him in contention. And Herbert? Let’s just say Saturday wasn’t his best day, with a couple of doubles slowing him down. But if he can rally today, he’s more than capable of making a run for the title.

The competition is indeed fierce. So who do you think will claim the title this year?