Ladies European Tour (LET) stars Chiara Tamburlini and Cara Gainer will make their way to Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on the Gold Coast in March for the 2025 Australian WPGA Championship.
The duo will join the tournament headliner, LPGA Tour winner Grace Kim, in the co-sanctioned WPGA Tour of Australasia and LET event on March 6-9.
Tamburlini comes off a successful maiden professional season in 2024, with the 25-year-old becoming the first Swiss player to win both the LET Order of Merit and the LET Rookie of the Year Award. In doing so, she became only seventh player to win both titles in the same year.
As the 2024 LET Players’ Player of the Year, Tamburlini also earned status as Swiss female Player of the Year.
Before turning professional in August last year, she went on to win three times on Tour during her rookie season, with victories at the 2024 Joburg Ladies Open, Lacoste Ladies Open de France and Wistron Ladies Open in Taiwan.
Tamburlini said she’s looking forward to heading to Australia.
“I’m really looking forward to the Australian WPGA Championship,” Tamburlini said. “I had so much fun in Australia last year so I’m excited to come back and showcase my skills again. I love playing all over the world and it will be cool to compete at a new course. I can’t wait.”
Gainer will come to Queensland off her first LET title win, having claimed the Lalla Meryem Cup in the play-off in Morocco last weekend.
The 29-year-old graduated from the LET Qualifying School in 2020, joining the LET Access Series.
Gainer went on to finish second in both the 2022 Belgian Ladies Open and the 2023 Amundi German Masters.
Gainer, who was fourth in last year’s NSW Open, said she’s excited to return to Australia for the event.
“I had a great time in Australia last year,” Gainer said. “I’m really excited to see some new courses and areas of Australia and also spend some time with my sister who lives in Sydney.
“My mum and dad are also coming over to watch so it’s going to be a family affair. I can’t wait to be over there.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn is pleased to have the pair onboard for the event.
“Chiara and Cara are both extremely talented golfers and we’re extremely pleased to have them in our field for the Australian WPGA Championship,” Lunn said. “Having these players sign on to the event shows their vote of confidence in what we continuing to build within women’s professional golf in Australia.
“With such a high standard of golf being offered right on our doorstep, this tournament will be a platform to profile our amazing athletes and inspire the next generation of Australian golfers.
“We know the fans are excited to see some outstanding golf played at the Australian WPGA Championship and I’m sure they’ll also enjoy all of the fabulous offerings at The Gold Coast Festival of Golf.”
The Gold Coast Festival of Golf will combine the thrill of the game with an unforgettable festival atmosphere, featuring live music, pop-up bars, dedicated participation zones, interactive experiences, plus golf and lifestyle displays showcasing the latest and greatest in golf.
Tickets to the WPGA Championship are now available via Ticketek and are just $15 or adults, with kids 17 and under free.
The 2025 WPGA Championships is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
