The Australian PGA Championship is littered with big name winners since inauguration in 1905; von Nida (4), Nagle (6), Thomson, Player, Dunk (5), Devlin (2), Irwin, Ballesteros, Norman (2), and Scott. It was hosted at the Coolum Resort for 10 years until moving to Royal Pines on the Gold Coast in '13. A par 72, about 7370 yards, set among tall pines, it's sometimes tight off the tee-box but not difficult. Like many resort-styles the challenges are relatively artificial; decent rough, water, deep bunkers, and difficult pin placements on big undulating greens but if it doesn't blow those large targets can be attacked and putting is rewarded.

Past winners lining up include; Holman(defending, RP), Chalmers (x2 incl RP), Scott (RP), Popovic, Allenby (x4), O'Hern, Lonard (x3), and Parry.

Adam Scott looks all but unbeatable without Spieth to contend with after having Royal Sydney at his mercy before the putter deserted him over the weekend. He's a former winner and runner-up here and it would only take a minor lift on the greens for a repeat.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 1)

Marc Leishman couldn't combine with Scott when highly fancied at Kingston Heath but he's started this season well (top-5 in Kuala Lumpur and top-25 in Mexico), and is a momo player who's strong all clubs and suited if it blows.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 2)

John Senden was midfield at Royal Sydney to go with 30th at Summerlin and 35th at Silverado. He's a Queenslander with one home title (Australian Open '06) and as one of the game's purest ball strikers he just needs to putt.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 3)

Cameron Smith nearly jagged Royal Sydney, flying home 68-66 only to get done by Spieth in the Playoff. He was 10th at Summerlin and 11th at Jackson prior and his quite remarkable scrambling will keep him close.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 4)

Brad Kennedy is having his biggest year on the Japan Tour which has included six years in the top 10. He's off fourth at Kuroshio and fifth at Phoenix, is a four-time winner in Australasia, and while those don't include the big-three he's rarely arrived in this form.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 5)

Rod Pampling was brilliant when fourth at Royal Sydney, returning off a win at Summerlin which guaranteed another two years on Tour and a Masters berth. Expect him to thrive off that momo as another Queenslander with sensational form on home dirt.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 7)

Marcus Fraser went fifth at the Olympics and won in Malaysia, his third title in Europe but first for six years. He's never won at home (runner-up to Pampling at Huntingdale in '08), but remains one of the best putters in golf and is among the class here.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 12)

Jaco Van Zyl is off a solid year in Europe; five top-10s including Sun City two back in his native SA. He's 13 pro wins there and is straight and reliable on the greens.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 14)

Curtis Luck showcased his remarkable talents at Royal Sydney, leading day one before finishing 11th. He'll be looking to build on it and is super long with a lethal short-game.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 29)

Ryan Fox hit the lead at Royal Sydney before ending fourth. It was a brilliant performance and as a former Queensland PGA winner he's arguably better suited here. He's long, aggressive, and just needs to stay composed to be a look.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 34)

Brett Coletta displayed fearless aggression and incredible length off the box at Royal Sydney but after a barnstorming start he was one of a number of amateurs who missed the weekend. He'd won the Queensland Open and gone runner-up in the NSW Open prior and should have benefited.
(ASAP Australian PGA Rank 60)