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One of Australia’s most exciting golf prodigies, Karl Vilips, is the latest big name to commit to the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne this year.
Vilips – affectionately known as “Koala Karl” – is fresh off his rookie PGA season, where he turned heads on the international stage. He will join the likes of local stars Cam Smith, Adam Scott, Lucas Herbert and Min Woo Lee at Royal Melbourne for the Open in December.
Rising Australian golfer Karl Vilips will join the star-studded field for this year’s Australian Open.Credit: Getty Images
This year’s tournament will be headlined by Masters champion and career grand slam winner Rory McIlroy; it makes the 2025 iteration one of the most hyped events in the tournament’s history.
In just his third start on tour, Vilips won the Puerto Rico Open with a tournament record 26-under par and added three more top-20 finishes to finish his first season in 83rd position in the FedEx Cup.
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His world ranking went from 245 to just outside the top 100 in less than 12 months.
“Playing in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne is a real bucket list item for an Australian golfer,” Vilips said.
“Being back at home, with an awesome field, on one of the best golf courses in the world, and big crowds is going to be awesome.
“I loved last year’s experience at Kingston Heath and Victoria and I imagine this year’s Open is going to take it up a couple of levels.”
Vilips was born in Jakarta and moved to Australia with his father, Paul, when he was young.
A golf addict from an early age, Vilips was swinging metal clubs by the age of four. By six, he finished seventh in the junior world championships with a half-set of clubs.
His dedication has been an attribute that has set him apart from other golf prodigies, according to people close to him.
“Karl is one of the young stars of world golf, with a bright future ahead of him. We’re excited to watch him showcase his talents on home soil in front of huge crowds at Royal Melbourne,” Golf Australia boss James Sutherland said.
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Fellow entrant Marc Leishman is taking an unusual route in his preparation, headlining the WA Open at Mount Lawley this week.
Leishman will also contest the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland in the last week of November.
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