A golfer’s dream meets a touch of controversy — Abraham Ancer is chasing glory once again at the Australian Open, and this time, it’s deeply personal.
Abraham Ancer, one of LIV Golf’s standout players, has his sights firmly set on reclaiming the Stonehaven Cup, and he couldn’t imagine a better place to do it than at Royal Melbourne — a course he calls one of his all-time favorites. The 34-year-old Mexican golfer still looks back fondly on his 2018 triumph at The Lakes in Sydney, where he clinched victory by an impressive five strokes. That win, he says, remains one of the highlights of his career.
“All the Aussies were phenomenal with me,” Ancer reflected warmly. “It genuinely felt like I was home, even though I was halfway across the world.”
But this year, there’s something extra special about the possibility of lifting the trophy once more — this time on the hallowed grounds of Royal Melbourne. “I’ve played Royal Melbourne before during the Presidents Cup in 2019, and it’s hands down one of my favorite golf courses in the world,” he said. “Getting the chance to come back is exciting. I love playing in Australia—the atmosphere, the people, everything. The fans are both fun-loving and incredibly knowledgeable about the game, which makes the experience unique.”
Ancer’s preparation for the Open has been intense but promising. He recently teed off at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, where he wrapped up the tournament at seven-under after a final-round 69. “It’s been an interesting week,” he said. “It’s my first time here in Brisbane, and I really like this course. You can relax off the tee, but your approach shots and short game need pinpoint precision. The greens are firm and tricky, and chipping around them can be quite a challenge. But honestly, I love that kind of golf—it keeps you sharp.”
Heading into the Open, he’s anticipating that Royal Melbourne will offer more speed and bounce than what players saw in Brisbane. “We had a lot of rain there, yet the course held up perfectly — really phenomenal considering the weather,” he noted. “But Royal Melbourne should be firmer and faster, which makes for great golf.”
Yet beyond the thrill of competition, there’s a growing buzz around Ancer’s future in LIV Golf. Rumors are swirling that he could be switching from Fireballs GC, his current team led by Spanish legend Sergio Garcia, to Torque GC for the 2026 season. “There’s a lot of chatter, but nothing official,” Ancer clarified. “As of now, I’m still a Fireball—but who knows what’s next? The golf world is changing quickly, and there are many moving parts.”
And this is where it gets controversial. Despite his LIV ties, Ancer still dreams about representing the International Team again at the Presidents Cup — something LIV golfers have been barred from due to the PGA Tour’s control of the event. “That’d be amazing,” he admitted. “A lot of us from LIV deserve that chance. We’d love to play in it, but the future of golf will decide how that plays out.”
So here’s the question that’s dividing the golf world: Should LIV players be allowed back into traditional tournaments like the Presidents Cup, or does their league loyalty make that impossible? Where do you stand — is it time to reconcile, or should the divide remain?
