Entries for the Fijian International have officially opened and following on from last year’s inaugural staging players are quickly jumping at the opportunity to once again return to the happiest place in the world.

The Fijian International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course on October 15-18 with the tournament establishing a reputation among some of the best golfers in the world as a must attend event.

Players love coming to compete on the challenging and picturesque layout for AU$1million but also take pleasure in spending time away from the golf course exploring what else Fiji has to offer and enjoying the world renowned Fijian hospitality.

In total 132 players will compete in the Fijian International, 73 of those players will come from the OneAsia tour and 44 from the PGA Tour of Australasia. A select 10 players will then be extended invitations to compete in the prestigious tournament which will also feature the winner of the Fijian Open and the highest finishing eligible Fijian player and the leading three players from the Fiji local qualifier.

Some of the Professionals already signed on for the Fijian International this year are:

Stephen Leaney

One of Australia’s most successful tour professionals, Leaney brings a wealth of experience to the Fijian International.

He turned professional in 1992 and since then has competed on the PGA Tour of Australasia, European Tour and PGA Tour in the United States.

Most recently Leaney spends his time competing on the lucrative Japan Golf Tour. The 46-year-old has experienced a highly successful career which has seen him record nine victories on the PGA Tour of Australasia and four on the European Tour.

He has also been ranked inside the top-50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings and competed for the International Team in the Presidents Cup.

However, by far his most outstanding career highlight was a runner-up finish at the US Open in 2003, he finished second to American Jim Furyk by three shots at the prestigious Major Championship. This will be Leaney’s second year competing in the Fijian International.

Lincoln Tighe

A young gun on the PGA Tour of Australasia 25-year-old Lincoln Tighe is always a huge hit with the fans.

One of the biggest hitters on Tour his driving abilities need to be seen to be believed and spending a day walking around the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course watching him is thoroughly recommended.

On average Tighe hits his golf ball 310 metres with his driver but has been known to hit a few balls over 400 metre before, that is further than two and a half rugby fields!

Not just a long hitter, Tighe has a well rounded game which last year saw him win his first tournament as a Professional.

Aaron Pike

Pike has an opportunity to compete in the Fijian International for the first time this year after remaining on the reserves list for the inaugural tournament.

A good start to his 2015 playing season on the PGA Tour of Australasia saw Pike finish tied 7th at the Queensland PGA Championship and New Zealand Open.

He will be looking to continue this good form in October.

Nick Gillespie

Another rising star on the PGA Tour of Australasia Gillespie will be travelling to the Fijian International from his home town in New Zealand.

Since turning professional, Gillespie has shown flashes of brilliance which hint at a highly successful career not far out of his reach.

While he is yet to win his first tournament he came very close, losing in a playoff but in the process providing some thrilling golf for fans to watch.

Playing some consistent golf in 2015 Gillespie has had a top-10 finish already this season and is sure to be an exciting talent to watch at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.

About more than just the golf, the Fijian International also offers the players an array of social activities to enjoy including the Official Welcome Dinner on October 13 at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and the Cut Party to celebrate the halfway point of the tournament on October 16 at Denarau Island.

Tickets for the Fijian International are now on sale at Total Service Stations so you can watch players like Leaney, Tighe, Pike and Gillespie in action but if you would like to mingle with the stars then you too can attend the Official Welcome Dinner and Cut Party.

All information is available at fijiinternational.com.

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