“It’s about bloody time Adam.”

Those personal words muttered by Greg Norman to Adam Scott after handing his protégé the Stonehaven Cup perhaps best sum up the young Queenslander’s first major win on home soil.

It has been a long time coming and nobody knows that better than Scott.

“It has been close down here before, but I never got over the line. I think that makes this even sweeter and it also being the Aussie Open, just means that little bit more,” Scott said.

Scott had said all week he ranked winning the Australian Open just one rung below winning a major.

To win it at the end of a year he had previously described a “shitty” just further reinforced the bizarre nature of golf.

The American golf media are fond of making lists like “Top ten golfers who haven’t won a major” and in those lists Scott has long come top or near to it.

In fact, lately he has probably slipped on those lists just like he slipped from World No 3 to No 54.

His five stroke victory over a valiant Stuart Appleby on Sunday at the New South Wales Golf Club got at least one of those monkeys off his back.

“An Aussie Open for an Australian, that’s what you want on the shelf,” Scott said.

Referring to the many names of golfing greats on the trophy (including the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman and Tom Watson) he was obviously checking out on the cup during the presentation ceremony he said:  “I’m very proud to be a part of that group for a lot of reasons, but I think there are only probably a few trophies in the world outside a major that would have a list of guys look like this.”

Given his sometime party boy image, Scott is a surprisingly quietly spoken and reflective person. His Queensland heritage comes to the fore at times when he slips in the occasionally “colourful” expression.

The Queen might of said his year was a “annus horribilis”. He just said it was “shitty.”

And he says people might get the wrong impression at times from his laid back exterior.

“I thought I had a lot of the support from the public and hopefully it helps the message get across that I’m playing my arse off out there and not just throwing in the towel,” he said.

Hopefully for Scott he has now turned a corner.

He knows his game still isn’t fully where he wants but he is confident he is heading in the right direction and it will be back bigger and better than before.

“I am a fairly easy going kind of character,” he said.

“I just cruise along and I pointed that out, talking to you guys (the media) this year, that I cruised along for nine years and thought everything was rosy. I thought I would cruise along and keep winning tournaments like I was and one of them would be a major and that didn’t happen.

“But sometimes you have to get down and dirty, get your hands dirty a little bit, and put in that extra effort. I don’t necessarily show that on the outside. That’s not my nature.”

Asked how it felt to be handed the trophy by Greg Norman, Scott spoke of their close relationship over the years.

“Obviously he is a big supporter of mine and I wish I could have played this well for him at the President’s Cup. We just got beaten by a better team that week,” he said.

“But he is my hero. I have said that all along and he has been so generous to me with so many things and countless bits of advice on the game and just like a lot of other people, this year showing me that he still believes in me and my game and he can see inside that I want it badly, which I can see some people may not see, but he knows me well and he can see that I want it badly and I work hard for it.”

And in the warm embrace Norman offered him, “did he give you a little kiss to the side of the head or whisper sweet nothings?” one perhaps slightly impertinent media representative asked.

“No, he said it was about bloody time.”

The Australian Open is set for a classic finish with Adam Scott and Stuart Appleby facing off against each other in the final pairing at 12.25.

Of course, anything can happen in golf but the two great mates gave a glimpse of what may be to come with a seesawing battle late Saturday at only a slightly more benign NSW Golf Club.

Scott will start the day two strokes ahead of Appleby after carding consecutive birdies on his final two holes.

Scott completed a second-round 66 on Saturday morning to trail by two at the halfway stage.

He led by as many as three shots in the third round before back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th holes saw Appleby draw level.

Appleby was struggling with his game compared to his immaculate performances with a pair of 66’s in the wind affected first two days.

Winning the Stonehaven Cup would be a major boost to either man, with both admitting to basically “shitty” years in the US.

“It’s there for me with a good round tomorrow. For an Aussie it’s like the next major in a sense. It’d mean a lot to me at any point but I think it’d be great coming off a pretty ordinary year, ” a weary Scott said after his 29 holes yesterday.

”I’ve just got to keep my head on and not do anything stupid. We’re a fair way out in front. We could get the gloves off tomorrow and have a bit of a ding-dong. You’ve got to want it badly. It’s great to see us both playing well because we’ve both had shitty years.”

The contest really does shape as a two man battle, with Nick O’Hern sitting alone in third place seven shots behind Scott.

The Open will be televisied from midday on Channel 10 and ONE HD.

STUART APPLEBY hesitated when asked if he had been “in the zone” when playing a remarkable 66 in brutal conditions during a windswept second day at the Australian Open.

The six stroke tournament leader considered the suggestion for a few moments before deciding no, when you’re in the zone you are oblivious to everything around you and have no worries or concerns, and he had had quite a few.

“I’m swinging well - I wouldn’t say I was in the zone though,” Appleby said.

Not the least of his stated concerns was the preparation of the greens. Appleby - and a number of other leading players - contended organisers should have left more up their sleave to deal with winds which could only have been considered likely at some stage.

When winds gusting up to 65 kph did come on Friday morning – and balls starting shifting on greens - play was shut down from 8.30 for five and a half hours.

“They wasted a lot of guys’ time and had nothing to show on TV,” Appleby said.

Tournament Director Trevor Herden was adamant all that could have been done was done, and strongly defended the technical green preparation decisions.

“No matter where you were today you wouldn’t be able to play with those winds gusts,” he said, citing Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath.

Appleby sat in the same media conference seat some hours later and disputed those decisions, but he couldn’t have been happier with his own golfing response to the conditions.

The relentless wind meant more than half the field failed to complete their second rounds.

And as all around him players faltered, Appleby was sublime.

”That’s the best golf I’ve ever witnessed,” Appleby’s American playing partner Steve Marino said.

Marino himself struggled to a two over par 74 and sits on nine over for the tournament.

The wind also played havoc with the swing of the third member of the group, Greg Chalmers, who battled away in his usual grinding style to an even par 72 and at two under is actually in second place of the handful who have finished their second rounds.

“When a player has the control Stuey had over the golf ball, it really is a joy to watch,” Chalmers said. “He knew exactly where it was going, and has played flawlessly for two days.”

Appleby parred his first two holes before the suspension and then came back with five birdies and an eagle for his second successive 66.

“I played well today. I got up and down at the right time. I did enough good things today to produce the round and I guess you could call it capitalising. I’m playing well, but there’s a lot of golf tournament left. The course will make you accountable so you have to be wary about it.”

As Appleby said, “wind is your biggest opponent on this course.”

Much will depend on the conditions faced by all those resuming their second rounds when play gets underway at 6.30 on Saturday morning.

Adam Scott, who has 12 holes to play in his second round, sits in outright second at six-under, one clear of overnight leader Scott Hend and Peter Wilson, who are also yet to complete round two.

Nick O’Hern and American David Oh are a further stroke back.

James Nitties, who began day-two one shot of the pace, struggled to two-over par through six holes to sit in a share of seventh place alongside Aaron Baddeley who fired two birdies and an eagle in six holes to move back into contention at minus-three overall.

Peter O’Malley signed for a 74 but is well placed at one-under alongside seven players in a share of 14th.

 John Daly remains at even par through six holes alongside Michael Sim, while veteran Scott Laycock will be around for the weekend after firing an impressive three-under 69 to finish at plus-one for the championship.

 2007 Stonehaven Cup winner Craig Parry bounced back from an opening 80 posting the second best round of the day - a five-under 67 - to sit inside the cut-line at plus-three overall.

Meanwhile, pre-tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy faces a nervous wait after posting a disappointing 76 to fall to plus-five, while 2006 winner John Senden is also on the outside looking in after posting a two-over 74.

Australian Open Live Leaderboard

Perched on cliffs and hills overlooking Botany Bay, the New South Wales Golf Club course was one of the real stars of the show as play got underway in the 2009 Australian Open in brilliant sunshine in Sydney.

Often rated as one of the best in the country and right up there with anything else in the world, the spectacular La Perouse venue is a delight for spectators and a real test for competitors, especially when the wind blows.

The photo shows Geoff Ogivly teeing off on one of the signature holes - the 185 metre par three sixth. Perching behind the 6th green is one of the popular vantage points for spectators.

Australian Open Live Leaderboard

GREG NORMAN did his shoulder, Fred Couples his back, and only half of the former John Daly seems to have arrived, but still the Australian Open battle at the spectacular New South Wales Golf Club shapes as a fascinating four days.

It seems Golf Australia couldn’t take a trick, every time they announced a new signing the “disappointment” withdrawal statement was sure to follow.

The big one was Norman, who finally seconded to the fact that the operation on his shoulder wasn’t going to heal in time. Still, the Shark will be hanging around the course and the city on various missions, including commentating for Open broadcaster Channel 10.

The latest was Couples, a former World Number 1 and 1992 US Masters champion. A lower back injury that makes it impossible for him to sit down for extended periods flared up making the long plane trip to Australia impossible, organisers reported a few days ago.

“We are disappointed that Fred will not be able to join us in Sydney and wish him a speedy recovery, ” Gollf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said.

But Pitt was remaining upbeat about what was left. 

“We have a fantastic field assembled and can’t wait to see all players take on New South Wales Golf Club in an Australian Open for the first time,” he said.

Touch wood (no name or accident pun intended), the international contingent currently ncludes the much slimmed down crowd favourite John Daly, fellow Americans Steve Marino, Kevin Stadler and Bryce Molder, and a number of players from Korea and Japan.

Apart from the name R Allenby, who made good threats to take his talent elsewhere, and did so to South Africa, most of the big Aussie names will be trashing it out.

A major point of interest will be how the new batch of Australian young guns on the US scene, particularly the likes of James Nitties, Marc Leishman and Michael Sim fare against the “old guard” of Ogilvy, Appleby, Scott, Senden, Pampling, Baddely etc.

Nitties, fresh from a strong rookie season on the US PGA Tour,  will tee off from the 10th hole at 7.30am alongside the considerably slimmed down but still loud panted John Daly. Adam Scott, who everyone hopes is back on track, is the third member of this trio.

“He’s (Daly) one of those guys that is entertaining to play with and he’s one of those down to earth blokes so I’m sure it’s going to be heaps of fun out there,” Nitties said of the chance to play alongside Daly.

Leishman, who made it all the way to the prestigious Tour Championship in September where he was paired with Tiger Woods in the final round, will head out at 7.40am with seasoned performers Rod Pampling and Aaron Baddeley.

“It’s great to be put in one of those groups, you always hope to get in one of them and you hope that your play overseas during the year has something to do with that,” Leishman said.

“It’s going to be good fun playing with Badd’s and Pamps, they’re both friends and hopefully we’ll put on a good show.”

Sim, fresh from a spectacular year on the Nationwide Tour and a battlefield promotion to the US PGA Tour, has been named in the final feature group of the morning wave alongside Peter Senior and Nick O’Hern.

The afternoon action will see Peter O’Malley, Nathan Green and American Kevin Stadler tee off at midday, followed by pre-tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy, 2008 runner-up Matthew Goggin and 2007 Australian Open Champion John Senden.

Greg Chalmers, Steve Marino and Stuart Appleby are off at 12.20pm with Craig Parry, Richard Green and Michael Campbell to follow.

Australian Open Round 1 Tee Times

FRED COUPLES is a welcome addition to the 2009 Australian Open field and the charismatic former World No 1 golfer has provided an instant extra interest in the Sydney event.

Yes, he may not be Tiger Woods and for many his recruitment will not cover the disappointment of losing Greg Norman to injury, but the 50 year old is a hugely popular figure with lots and lots of long time golf fans.

Many will be fascinated to see in person how that renowned slinky smooth golf swing is standing the test of time.

It certainly hasn’t served the American badly this year with four top ten finishes on the US PGA Tour.

His seemingly perennial sun tan and laid back demeanour were also prominent in his role as captain of this year’s winning US Presidents Cup team. To me, Couples has always seemed like he had life on a rope.

Couples, who has 46 professional career victories, five Ryder Cup and four Presidents Cup representative appearances, last played in the Australian Open in 1998 at Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

“I am very much looking forward to playing in the Australian Open and in particular the New South Wales Golf Club which is known as one of the most beautiful links courses in the world,” Couples said this week.

“I haven’t been to Sydney for some time and look forward to visiting this magnificent city once again”.

Announcing the news this week, Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was thrilled to welcome the US Presidents Cup captain to Sydney.

“It’s fantastic that Fred is able to join us at the Australian Open for the first time in more than a decade and make a welcome return to Sydney,” Pitt said.

“Fred is one of the world’s most popular and charismatic golfers and is a joy to watch. He is playing very well and fans will jump at the chance to see him play the spectacular NSW Golf Course at La Perouse (December 3 -6).”

Couples will join fellow Americans John Daly, Steve Marino, Kevin Stadler and Bryce Molder.

The Australian contingent includes Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, James Nitties, Greg Chalmers, Stuart Appleby, Michael Sim, Marc Leishman and Mathew Goggin.

IN a blow to fans and organisers, Greg Norman has officially pulled out of the Australian Open in Sydney following a slower than expected recovery from shoulder surgery.

Golf Australia announced today the two-time British Open winner was advised by his doctors not to play competitive golf again this year following arthroscopic surgery in September.

Norman, a five time winner of the Open, has been at the forefront of marketing for the event, to be played at the NSW Golf Club at La Perouse from December 3-6.

His withdrawal comes on top of news that current champion Tim Clarke will not be recontesting the title. He’ll be playing in a lucrative event in hometown South Africa along with Australian Open refugee Robert Allenby.

On the flipside, a supposed “miracle” recovery by crowd drawcard John Daly has seen him back in the event and organisers were quick to point out the quality of the field remaining.

Norman will also miss his signature event, The Shark Shootout, to be held in Florida the week following the Open.

The Shark has been going through something of a rough personal trot of late, announcing the break-up of his 15-month marriage to tennis legend Chris Evert at about the same time as he underwent his shoulder surgery.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was disappointed Norman could not attend the Open and wished him well in his recovery from surgery.

“Naturally we’re disappointed that Greg will not be able to join us,” Pitt said.

“We wish him well in his recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the Australian Open field in 2010.”

“While the championship will undoubtedly miss the magnetism of Greg it will mean some of the spotlight will return to the outstanding Australian depth in the field.”

The 2009 championship will herald the return of two-time Australian Open champion Aaron Baddeley for the first time since 2007.

Adam Scott, who finished well in the Singapore Open last week and hopefully has been bolstered by his Presidents Cup appearance, will also be back after missing last year through injury.

Other top ranked players in the Australian Open field include Australians Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Sim, Mathew Goggin, Stuart Appleby, John Senden, Marc Leishman and Americans John Daly, Steve Marino, Kevin Stadler and there are also a host of young, exciting players competing in what is the first Australian event on the new OneAsia Tour.

IRREPRESSIBLE golfer John Daly has done a Lazarus and the dual Major winner is now back on the cards for the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship in December

The big-hitting crowd favourite withdrew from both championships in September citing a flare-up of an old rib injury but now says he’s recovered much sooner than expected.

“My recovery from stem cell surgery has been closely monitored by my doctor and I have been cleared to begin playing competitively in two weeks. As such, I have added The Viking Classic to my 2009 US schedule plus have accepted invitations to play in the 2009 Australian Open and 2009 Australian PGA Championship,” Daly said.

“I regret the confusion the injury process has caused but I’m relieved things have begun moving in the right direction. I look forward to returning to Australia and am grateful the Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship have provided me with the opportunity to play in these premier events.”

Daly hit the front pages with a camera throwing incident at Royal Syndey last year and whatever happens is sure to garner lots of public attention.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said golf fans would appreciate John’s presence.

“It is fantastic to see him back for a second consecutive year and I wish him well as he continues his recovery,” Pitt said.

Allenby turns back on Open

Daly’s return strengthens already outstanding fields in both championships.  But that won’t include Robert Allenby, who has made good threats to boycott the Open.

He’ll play in the “Tiger Woods” Masters in Melbourne but then wing it to a lucrative tournament in South Africa.

In Sydney at the NSW Golf Club, Daly will play alongside Presidents Cup Captain Greg Norman and his star team performer Tim C;ark, who is the tournament’s defending champion. 

A week later at the newly re-designed Hyatt Regency Coolum course, Daly will be joined by Fijian Major winner Vijay Singh, returning to Australia for the first time since 1998, and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy for the Australian PGA Championship.

Both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship will form the Australian swing of the new One Asia Series.

AUSTRALIAN Robert Allenby has finished in a tie for second as world number one Tiger Woods took his record seventh World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational title.

Thanks to a new putting grip, Allenby is a new and confident man on the greens and that helped him to a final round four under 66 in Akron, Ohio.

Woods claimed the USD$8.5 million event by four shots from Allenby and overnight leader and playing partner Padraig Harrington, who imploded with a disastrous triple bogey eight on the 16th.

It was Woods’ 70th career PGA victory and at the age of 33, seven months and 10 days he is now third on the all time list behind Sam Snead (82) and Jack Nicklaus (73), who were both into their forties when they achieved those milestones.

For Allenby, It emerged at the tournament last week that he had softened his stance on threats never to play another Australian event, with the confirmation he would be joining Woods contesting the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath in his home-town of Melbourne in November.

He also didn’t rule out playing at the Australian PGA Championship or even the Australian Open, where comments at the “party hole” started all the “I’ll never play in Australia again” stories.

Following Allenby for his entire final round at the Open at Royal Sydney last year two things were very apparent.

Firstly that whatever he was saying later, he did get heaps of spectator support and before it became controversial later, we noted all the “C’mon Robert” calls from the crowd. (Admittedly, with the din of the party hole we couldn’t hear any of the alleged comments relating to his mother’s cancer that upset the apple cart.)

Secondly, as everyone (and the statistics) were always saying, he was a great ball striker let down miserably by his putting.

Anyone, we thought, would feel shitty missing that many birdie putts.

Now, the 38 year old Australian seems to have found a new lease on life, after following advice from Vijay Singh last month to try the so called claw putting grip.

An all smiling Allenby said his Bridgestone performance this week was his best since winning the triple-crown in Australia in 2005.

“I putted well all four rounds of the British Open and so I thought let’s see what happens this week,” he said after recording his best result this year. “It’s definitely rejuvenated my game that’s for sure.”

 “It’s funny, when you feel good with the putter the rest of your game starts clicking. The putter feels fantastic. I’ve got a lot of confidence with it and now I’m just excited to get out there and play next week.”

When asked about his prospect for a win soon, Allenby replied, “I think there’s no if’s in it, it’s just when, you know it feels good, feels great!”

 As for the rest of the Australians in the field, Mat Goggin, competing in the event for the first time, continued with the form that saw him finish the best of the Australians at the British Open at Turnberry two weeks ago. 

After working with coach Dale Lynch on making adjustments to his swing Goggin’s score improved each day this week. He admitted the swing change took some getting used to but that he was pleased with the way he was hitting off the tee and with his form heading into the USPGA Championship next week. 

 “I drove the ball quite well, I was really pleased,” said Goggin, who finished T22 after a final round two under 68.

“It took me a day or two to get a feel for it (the swing change) and once I got the playing feel it felt comfortable. I feel like I hit the ball as well as I’ve hit it all year, on the weekend, so that’s encouraging.”

Geoff Ogilvy bogeyed six holes in his final round to finish on three over for the day. His up and down round of 73 also included four birdies but he never seemed to find his rhythm. It was a disappointing day for the world number eight as he fell from a tie for fifteenth overnight to finish alongside Goggin in a tie for 22nd. 

Adam Scott was another whose form improved as the tournament went on. A disastrous first round 78 had him on the back foot from day one but the 28 year old Queenslander was happy with his driving which had him ranked fourth for the tournament after recording following rounds of 67, 71 and 70.

“I got off to a bad start on Thursday so I’ve been playing against myself ever since,” said Scott who most recently finished fourth at the Scottish Open.  “I did play well the last three days so I feel my game is in good shape.”

“It’s nice to be finally striking the ball the way I remember I can because I struggled so much with my ball striking this year.”

For other Australasians in the field, Nick O’Hern had a disappointing final round 75 to finish five over for the tournament followed by Scott, New Zealand’s Danny Lee and Stuart Appleby who finished a further shot back and T51st. Nathan Green closed with an even par 70 to finish at nine over par. 

AUSTRALASIAN RESULTS:

T2 RobertAllenby 68, 69, 69, 66 – 272 (-8)

T22 Mat Goggin 73, 71, 68, 68 – 206 (E)

T22 Geoff Ogilvy 69, 71, 67, 73 – 280 (E)

T45 Nick O’Hern 72, 67, 71, 75 – 285 (+5)

T51 Danny Lee NZL 68, 73, 75, 70 – 285 (+6)

T51 Adam Scott 78, 67, 71, 70 – 286 (+6)

T51 Stuart Appleby 74, 68, 69, 75 – 286 (+6)

T64 Nathan Green 74, 71, 74, 70 - 289 (+9)

GEOFF OGILVY, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, John Senden and Greg Chalmers have all confirmed they will be joining Greg Norman when the Australian Open takes to the cliffs of La Perouse in December.

It should be a magnificent tournament with Ogilvy, current world number eight, heading the charge for the Stonehaven Cup.

Former world number three Scott could also play a big role.

His form has been improving of late and he will be gunning to do well after missing the Open last year due to a beach incident knee injury.

The Shark has been thereabout of late and we at least know he has been getting some consistent big tournament conditioning with three back to back appearances at the British Open, Senior British Open and US Senior Open.

John Senden (2006 Winner) and Greg Chalmers have also recently shown their class, taking the fight up to Tiger Woods as both finished in a tie for second place at the Buick Open at the weekend.

Ogilvy is keenly chasing his first Open title, but broke through to claim his maiden win on home soil at the Australian PGA Championship last year.

”I am looking forward to returning to Sydney in my quest to win the Australian Open,” he said from the US.

“It’s great to have Greg (Norman) playing again as he adds so much to the championship. The NSW Golf Club will certainly test the players with the strong ocean breezes.”

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt says there are now 11 Australians in the world’s Top 100 and this will give the 2009 Australian Open incredible depth and added excitement for the fans.

Pitt said it again proved that the hottest talents in Australian golf wanted to compete at their national open.

“We are committed to having our best Australian golfers play at New South Wales Golf Club on the stunning cliffs at La Perouse.”

The Open will be held at the NSW Golf Club from December 3-6.

Australians in World Top 100 as at Tuesday 4 August, 2009:

1. Geoff Ogilvy 8
2. Robert Allenby 42
3. Adam Scott 44
4. Matthew Goggin 49
5. Brendan Jones 61
6. Aaron Baddeley 75
7. Michael Sim 81
8. Rod Pampling 83
9. John Senden 89
10. Stuart Appleby 90
11. Richard Green 95