Australian Senior Golfer

Masters winner Bubba Watson at the 2011 Australian Open .... probably not a sight we will see this year

THE 2012 schedule for Australia’s three big golf tournaments was announced today with the Australian Masters again segregated from the other events.

The Australian Masters will return to the Kingston Heath Golf Club from November 15 to 18 with a two week break before the Australian Open in Sydney from December 6 to 9 and the Australian PGA Championship the week after.

Last year the Presidents Cup was sandwiched between the Open and the PGA Championship in November giving them a massive advantage in attracting international and Australian talent while the Masters eventually found a spot the week before Christmas.

The Masters in 2011 still managed to attract Luke Donald, eventual winner Ian Poulter and some other notables but it remains to be seen how the new scheduling will affect that aspect for the Aussie events, particularly looking at what other international events are likely to be in competition.

The Masters returns to the scene of Tiger Woods 2009 victory and will have a prize pool of AUD$1 million.

From the Melbourne sand belt the PGA Tour of Australasia will head across the Tasman for the 2012 BMW New Zealand Open from November 22 to 25. The Kiwi Open will be played at the Clearwater Resort in Christchurch for a prize pool of AUD$400,000.

There will then be a week’s break (with possibly a NSW state event thrown in) before the 2012 Emirates Australian Open, again at The Lakes Golf Club, with AUD$1.5 million on offer.

The Australian PGA Championship will return to Coolum the following week (December 13 to 16) with another prize pool of AUD$1.5 million up for grabs.

The PGA will be the final event of the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit season and both it and the Open will again be co-sanctioned by OneAsia for the fourth consecutive year.

Today’s confirmed dates complement the previously announced Perth International, co-sanctioned by the European Tour for the first time since 2009, which will be contested at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from October 18 to 21. The Perth International will have a USD$2 million prize pool.

“Last year’s PGA Tour of Australasia season set a new benchmark for tournament golf in Australia and we are working towards again delivering a sensational season for golf fans all across the country,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“It is expected that the full 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule will comprise of 14 events in total, with an increase in prizemoney of over 35% compared to 2011.”

With the major tournaments now confirmed, focus will move to finalising the scheduling of the state based championships, which are garnering increased importance.

“For the first time in 2012 all PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments including our state based championships are carrying Official World Golf Ranking points which is great news for our Tournament Professionals,” Thorburn said.

“Already this year we have seen a number of players ascend up the World Golf Rankings due to successful performances at the recent Victorian and Queensland Championships as I’m sure we will again throughout the remainder of the season.”

Thorburn said the PGA plans to release the full schedule including the remaining state championship dates in the coming weeks.

GREG NORMAN was wearing thongs and swatting at flies but he wasn’t in the Australian outback.

Norman was in the media centre at The Lakes Golf Club shortly after completing his final round of the 2011 Emirates Australian Open.

The thongs (flip-flops to some) were due to a blister on his foot and it just seemed to be one persistent fly that had taken an immense liking to The Great White Shark.

The fly survived numerous attempted death blows, the 56 year old demonstrated on the weekend he still has quite a swing on him, before finally succumbing to a concerted joint effort by Norman and media centre overlord Kathy Shearer.

Norman was hoping the flies would be just one more hurdle for the visiting US Presidents Cup team.

“They’ll get them. A few of [the Americans] have been getting them this week but I hope it is more,” the International Team captain said.

Royal Melbourne isn’t exactly the wilds of the bush either but to many Australia  is still a strange far away land where the cars have bonnets (They wear hats?) rather than hoods and it is really not a good idea to root for a lot of  people if you value your reputation.

Norman was predicting elements such as home ground advantage and crowd support would help get the Internationals over the line in a very close Presidents Cup this week.

“I am very confident the guys will play extremely well. It will be closer than what we think. It is not going to be 1998 when we won by easy points with a stroll on the last day. I think it will come down to a couple of matches,” he said.

The Shark was asked if he thought the Australian fans were worth and extra player and secondly if he wanted them to “go crazy”.

“I would like to think we have a lot more than an extra player. We have the home field advantage. Come the weekend, there will be more enthusiasm. People take time to build into a tournament. In match play they will get to know the non-Australians and get to understand it. They knew Ernie and Retief. They probably don’t know Charl very well. Ryo Ishikawa, they have to get to know him, Y.E., Kim…I’ve got to get to know Kim as well.”

He was hoping for the fans to show their enthusiasm but respect the game.

“I want the fans to be crazy but respectful. It is the game of golf. They have to be respectful to the game and their opponents. Be crazy between shots and give the rah-rah-rah. I love when Pat Rafter or Lleyton Hewitt play. The Fanatics are there. Do you guys know the Fanatics? They get up between each point and go rah-rah-rah, go Lleyton go Lleyton whatever. As soon as the tennis starts, they stop. That’s what I’d like to spectators to do, really pull for the guys, for the team.”

For Norman, this week could be the culmination of a long held dream.

“When Tim Finchem  (PGA Tour Commissioner) asked me in 2007 if I would be interested in being the captain, I initially said no. I said I would only be interested if I could captain in Australia.

“I did not expect to be the captain in 2009 but he said if I captained in 2009 he was pretty sure I’d be captain in Australia. I said I’d do it.

“My whole goal along the line was to be captain in Australia. It was important for me. I have supported Australian golf tremendously well for 35 years and I was on the winning team in 98 here. I wanted to bring the team down here to win it as the captain. It was a big mission statement of mine back in 2007 and here we are we start tomorrow.”

The only desire now is that he doesn’t have to do it wearing thongs.  Last time he spent his entire Presidents Cup Captaincy week with his shoulder in a sling.

“[The foot] is pretty bad. Hopefully I don’t have to wear flip-flops for the rest of the week,” he said.

One thing he won’t be doing is flip-flopping over decisions and asking for too much advice and consensus.

“I learnt a lot from San Francisco,” he said. “My captaincy will definitely be different this coming week. I am going to be more a captain instead of seeking advice and other people’s opinions and trying to make everybody happy. At the end of the day you’ve got to make the decisions. By making those firm decisions, the guys will realise that this is the captain speaking, this is what he wants us to do. We’ll go and do it and score the point.”

Norman has a number of young members on his team who once looked to him for their golfing inspiration. Now it is the other way around.

“I love watching what these guys have done. They’ve watched me play. Now I am watching them play. To see them do what they did at Augusta this year, it was the first time I sat on the edge of my seat ever watching the game of golf. On my phone I have a photograph of the four Aussies on the leader board. They slotted Tiger Woods in there just to mess it up. They had Tiger just above Geoff Ogilvy. I was ticked off. I wanted them to drop Tiger’s name down one. That’s how proud I was. I was watching TV in my house and taking pictures of the TV because four Australians had a chance to win the Masters. They have watched me and now I am watching them.”

AN emotional Greg Chalmers has hoisted the Stonehaven Cup after a one stroke victory over John Senden at the 2011 Emirates Australian Open.

It was Chalmers second Australian Open victory, the first ironically coming 12 years ago the week before the last Presidents Cup in Melbourne.

“It floats my boat,” a proud Chalmers said after claiming the title from a star-studded field at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. His 3-under final round 68 gave him a tournament total of 13-under.

Senden had the chance to force a playoff on the final hole but his long sloping birdie attempt just failed to drop.

Tiger Woods finished in third spot at 11-under after his final round 5-under 67.

Defending Champion Geoff Ogilvy had the round of the day, carding a 7-under 65 to finish tied in fourth spot along with Adam Scott (68), Nick Watney (72), Nick O’Hern (72)and a disappointed Jason Day (74).

JOHN SENDEN shot a sizzling nine-under 63 to take a one stroke lead into the final day of the 2011 Emirates Australian Open today.

The 2006 Stonehaven Cup winner began the day six shots adrift of overnight leader Tiger Woods but stormed home with consecutive birdies at the 17th and 18th to sit at 12-under for the championship.

His round including a spectacular hole-out for eagle from 102m at the par-four 6th as well as seven birdies.

Jason Day leads the chasing pack at 11-under after celebrating his 24th birthday with a rock-solid 68 that included five birdies and a solitary bogey at the par-three 15th.

Overnight leader Tiger Woods lost three shots in the opening three holes and never really recovered. Woods finished with a three over 75 on 6-under for the tournament but later wouldn’t rule himself out of contention.

Jason Day was happy to be in the final group (tee-off at 12.15pm).

“I’m very happy with the position I am in for tomorrow,” Day said.

Woods is currently in a tie for eighth with countryman Bubba Watson (72) at six-under the card, six shots adrift of Senden.

West Australian Greg Chalmers took advantage of the relatively calm afternoon conditions with a five-under 67 to sit alone in third at 10-under.

Nick O’Hern (66) and Nick Watney (68) are a further shot back, while Queenslander Ryan Haller had a 65 and joins first-round leader Jarrod Lyle (69) in sixth spot.

Aaron Baddeley charged home with four-back-nine birdies to get to five-under for the tournament, alongside pre-tournament favourite Adam Scott and Peter O’Malley, who struggled to a 75 after playing alongside Woods.

O'Malley....a second round 6-under 66

PETER O’MALLEY could be in for the ride of his life this weekend, teeing off in the third round of the 2011 Emirates Australian Open with a resurgent Tiger Woods.

O’Malley is just one stroke behind an ominous looking and sounding Woods who is threatening to return to the form of old.

Woods collected seven birdies during his second round 67 at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney to lead the tournament on 9-under.

O’Malley shot a 66 on Friday, one better than the former World No.1, to be 8-under.

The penultimate group is the enticing pairing of Jason Day on 7-under and Bubba Watson on 6-under.

O’Malley, as a member of The Lakes not only has a local knowledge advantage, the last time the two paired together the Australian was the victor.

And that was at the 2002 world match play championship when Woods was in his prime.

The 46 year old hasn’t fared so well lately and is planning on returning home from Britain after losing his European Tour card this year. A year in which he made just one cut in seven European tournaments.

The Stonehaven Cup is one trophy he has always coveted.

”I haven’t won this, or the PGA or Masters as well,” O’Malley said. ”But this is the one that I’ve always wanted.”

O’Malley knows the home ground advantage will only go so far.

”The advantage I get is knowing where to hit tee shots,” O’Malley said. ”I’ve got no advantage on the greens because I’ve got no idea what they’re doing sometimes.”

O’Malley and Woods are due to tee off at 12.40pm.

The Australian will be hoping after that he will be putting his approach shots close enough to the pins so he can employ one of his other well known tactics – keeping his eyes shut on short putts.

”It takes away the visual anxiety,” O’Malley explained. ”I am not seeing what the putter is doing so I don’t feel any anxiety over it. I just close my eyes and let it flow.”

THE Tiger Woods and Jason Day show continued at the 2011 Emirates Australian Open today with the young Australian hoping it is a battle that will still be going down the final stretch on Sunday.

After two years the golfing wilderness, Woods is finally leading a tournament, sitting at 9-under one stroke ahead of Peter O’Malley.

Day is on 7-under and has relished playing for two days in front of huge galleries at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.

“Playing against him on Sunday in front of the home crowd in the Australian Open, a tournament I have always wanted to win, would definitely be a dream come true,” the 24 year old said.

With around 18,000 people attending the event on Friday, many of them following the Woods/Day and Robert Allenby pairing, organisers are expecting total attendance around the 70,000 mark.

“There are a lot of people out there. I was just talking to Rob’s caddie on the eighth hole and I was amazed at how many people came out to watch us. It felt great,” Day said.

And while Woods, who he admitted was a childhood idol (“I had posters of his swing on my wall. I read books about him. He changed my life because I worked harder after I read his book.”)seemed to be getting back to his best, Day obviously fancies his chances.

“It would be a good battle, I think. I feel like I am hitting it pretty well. If I can tighten up the putting a bit I think I might give him a good run for his money.”

For his part, Woods sounded like a confident man who had his golfing mojo back. He started the day at 4-under and shot a 5-under par round of 67.

”I’m playing like I am playing at home [in practice]. It has finally come to the golf course in a tournament setting. I have been hitting it like this at home but it hasn’t come out in a tournament setting yet. That’s the best progression. I have been through swing changes before. That’s what’s happened. It takes a little time but once it starts coming the confidence starts building,” Woods said.

Woods was impressed with the Sydney crowds.

“It feels great. To have everyone so fired up. Jason is playing well too at the same time. We have an Aussie here. We certainly had the crowds cheering, which was great.”

Those missing the cut included Presidents Cup participants  Matt Kuchar and Robert Allenby.

Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson get their first look at The Lakes Golf Club

THE 2011 Emirates Australian Open is underway with the Jason Day – Tiger Woods pairing one of the highlights of the opening rounds.

Day, Woods and Robert Allenby were due to tee off at 12.10 at The Lakes in Sydney in an eagerly anticipated and Presidents Cup boosted start to the major events on the Australian golfing calendar.

The 2011 Open has attracted a star studded field.

The group immediately before the Day – Woods match (12.00) contains Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar and John Senden. Immediately afterwards at 12.20 comes Nick Watney, Stuart Appleby and Kyle Stanley.

In the morning groupings, defending champion Geoff Ogilvy, Bubba Watson and Bill Haas were off at 07.15, with Greg Norman, Dustin Johnson and Aaron Baddeley at 07.15 and the US Champions Tour group of Peter Senior, Fred Couples and John Cook at 07.35.

The morning and afternoon groups of course alternate for Round 2 on Friday.

Bill Haas won the 2011 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup double

THE 2011 Emirates Australian Open really is becoming “unmissable” with US PGA Tour Championship winner Bill Haas, fellow Presidents Cup team member David Toms and Australia’s Aaron Baddeley joining the party.

The 2011 US Amateur champion Kelly Craft has also just been announced in the latest additions to an already stacked field that includes Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, Nick Watney, Dustin Johnson, Robert Allenby, Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Haas recently collected a cool US$10 million for winning the FedEx Cup and will be playing the Open for the first time. Toms, a winner of 13 PGA Tour titles, had seven Top 10 finishes on Tour this year including victory at the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas.

Baddeley also won on Tour this year and already has two Australian Open wins under his belt.

He will be one of a throng of Open contestants heading off to Royal Melbourne after the presentation of the Stonehaven Cup to battle for the Presidents Cup.

“It’s a star studded field and like everyone else, we can’t wait for the action to get underway at The Lakes in November,” Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said.

The 2011 Emirates Australian Open is on at The Lakes from November 10 to 13 with tickets available from Ticketek.

And if you’re worried about some of the Australian and visiting international golf stars having to rough it during their stay in Sydney, don’t.

The stars of the championship will also have some the best views of Sydney with The Star signing on as Official Hotel and Entertainment Sponsor for the Emirates Australian Open.

The Star is nearing completion of an $870-million transformation which includes the reorientation of the building to embrace Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. The Star now boasts more than 20 restaurants, bars and cafes, a new luxury boutique hotel and 16-room spa, upscale retail collection, a 4000-capacity entertainment centre and world class gaming areas.

The Star Managing Director Sid Vaikunta said “As Sydney’s new one-of-a-kind entertainment destination, The Star is proud to be partnering with such an esteemed and iconic event as the Emirates Australian Open. We look forward showcasing our new 5 star boutique hotel The Darling which will open just in time to host some of the best golfers in the world.”

Whew! We were concerned there for a while that the likes of Haas with his new astronomical bank balance would have to rough it in a backpackers.

Watney..."a real buzz" around the Aust Open

JUST a month out from the 2011 Emirates Australian Open in Sydney more of the world’s top players have confirmed as starters.

They are headed by World Number 9 Matt Kuchar, World Number 11 Nick Watney and fellow US Presidents Cup team member Hunter Mahan.

Robert Allenby has also confirmed he will be returning to the Open for the first time since his troubles with the infamous “party hole” in 2008.

Queenslander John Sender, who made a valiant last ditch attempt to get into the Presidents Cup squad, has also signed up.

There are still some names from the US Presidents Cup team missing from The Lakes line-up – including Mickelson and Stricker – but there was talk captain Fred Couples wanted all his team to play in Sydney to prepare for the big clash at Royal Melbourne the following week if possible, so who knows?

Sydney has so far amassed an unprecedented field with those above joining a growing list that includes Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Hamish Jones from Golf Australia was quick to rule out Mickelson, who will be playing in Singapore during the Open week. Stricker, who is nursing a shoulder problem and is unlikely, and Jim Furyk.

Others on the US team, including Bill Haas, Webb Simpson and David Toms are possibilities and could join The Lakes line-up in the next week or so.

There are also still possibilities in the Internationals team including the South Africans, Charl Schwartzel, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen and the South Koreans.

Jones didn’t think Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa was a chance and hadn’t heard his name mentioned as a possibility in a month or so.

Watney, who has won twice on the US PGA Tour this year, will be playing in the Australian Open for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Championship in Sydney,” Watney said. “Most of my family are coming down for it”.

“There seems to be a real buzz around this year’s Open leading into the Presidents Cup and it is amazing how many top international players have won the tournament.”

Kuchar played in the 2000 Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club while Mahan is also a debutant.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said the anticipation for the Emirates Australian Open was building rapidly.

“The excitement around the Open is extraordinary and we want to make sure no one misses out. Get in and buy your tickets now so you can come straight in and get into the thick of the action.,” Pitt said.

Tickets are on sale Ticketek or by phoning 132 849. To book travel packages for the championship, contact Flight Centre on 1300 778 433.

The 2011 Emirates Australian Open will be played at The Lakes Golf Club from 10-13 November.

The event is again sanctioned by OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia and will be broadcast live on Network Ten.

THE Australian Open has just received a big boost with news that Emirates will partner the championship as the new naming rights sponsor for the next three years.

The event has at times struggled to attract viable sponsors in the recent past and having such a high profile international company sign up with the promoters World Sport Group is a major fillip.

What is now the 2011 Emirates Australian Open was already rising high with the Presidents Cup helping to attract a field that currently includes Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Jason Day, Bubba Watson and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy.

“Emirates has enhanced our partnership with the Australian Open, one of the world’s oldest national golf opens, in conjunction with our continued support of the Australian market,” said Barry Brown, Emirates’ Vice President Australasia.

“Since joining as the Official Airline of the Australian Open in 2009, Emirates has been an integral part of the success of Golf Australia and the growth of the championship, and we look forward to the future of the event as well as the promotion of the game of golf in New South Wales and Australia.”

“We anticipate this year’s event will be one of the biggest ever, with a first class field of players competing to have their name inscribed on the Stonehaven Cup – alongside golfing greats such as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Peter Thomson,” added Brown.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said the announcement of Emirates as new naming rights was “wonderful news for the Australian Open.”

“Emirates is well known for being one of the world’s premium airlines and a leading supporter of golf tournaments across the globe,” Pitt said.

“The reputation of the Emirates Australian Open is built on winners from all over the world who are among the finest players in history and we’re very proud to welcome a major partner who also shares that commitment to excellence in everything they do,” Pitt added.

Chief Executive Officer of the PGA Tour of Australasia Brian Thorburn said it was great news for this year’s Tour schedule.

“Emirates has been a supporter of Australian golf for a number of years and we are thrilled to see their involvement grow to such a level for the Australian Open. This year’s Emirates Australian Open is sure to be a pinnacle event on this year’s Tour schedule and we look forward to working with them into the future,” Thorburn said.

The 2011 Emirates Australian Open will be played at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from 10th to 13th November, the week before the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.