This Week Another Tournament Just to Watch
The ISPS Handa Australian Open
Held at Kingston Heath and Victoria GC’s
Kingston Heath GC
7257 Yards Par 72
Victoria GC
6887 Yards Par 71
The Defending Champion is Joaquin Niemann
This week is the Australian Open, this is the oldest and most prestigious tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia. First held in 1904, where noted British amateur Michael Scott was champion. Over the years this tournament had attracted all the big names from international golf, Gary has won here 7 times, Jack has won 6, Arnold and Tom are also former champs. More recently the tournament has had difficulty attracting big names. The increasing purses on the PGA tour make the long plane ride a bit of a deal breaker. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour which means tour status and world ranking points are available. This will attract international players from an outlaw tour who shall not be named. (see defending champion)
FUN FACT: in 2022, it was decided the men’s and women’s Opens would be played on the same course at the same time. So there are two tournaments this week that we aren’t picking for. The other defending champion is Ashleigh Buhai. We all know someone who has played in this tournament and made the cut.
Still not picking this week so the topic du jour is slow play and is brought to us by the boss.
Charlie Hull has it right. It’s the only way they will change the current dilemma that the modern pro game faces and it can be done.
How to stop slow play: Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson back Charley Hull’s ‘ruthless’ way to tackle ‘big issue’ on LPGA Tour | Golf News | Sky Sports
Since 1995 – you know how many slow play penalties have been handed out on the PGA Tour?
A grand total of 3 – in 30 years.
Now here’s the thing… golf nuts watch golf on TV and they copy their hero’s and heroine’s. Hell, why wouldn’t you? They are bestest at our wonderful game. So let’s follow their lead! Let’s take 3 minutes or more to figure out a yardage and then the club and then the shot. “Nope – the wind shifted 2 miles an hour to the southeast – let’s start again.”
5 hours plus for the best players in the world to play 18 holes of golf. It’s not a joke – it’s a sin and a travesty to the game we love.
The rules are in place, but they are never enforced (minus 3) and that is the ultimate travesty.
Fix it Worldwide Tours – it’s down to you and really not that bloody difficult.
JUST DO IT!!!!!