Although his playing days have drawn to a close, O’Malley’s indelible influence on the game remains.

A player who gave so much of himself to the game both at home and overseas, the man affectionately known as ‘Pom’ played a driving role in growing the profile of Australian golf; a profile plainly evident in the appetite for golf and quality of the fields that exist at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open this week.

One of only 50 Life Members in the 111-year history of the PGA of Australia, was inducted in May of this year. Due recognition for his extensive service to the sport over more than three decades, he came from humble beginnings to establish one of the more successful careers in Australian golf.

Three times a winner in Europe, he has always been a force to be reckoned with at home; a five-time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia. A strong performer in the Majors too, O’Malley finished inside the top-ten at the Open Championship twice, his best performance T-7 in 1997 at Royal Troon.

Perhaps best known for his barnstorming finish to the 1992 Scottish Open, O’Malley played the last five holes in 7-under to win ahead of Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie at the Gleneagles King’s Course.

Thereafter, O’Malley continued to give his all to the game in Australia. From 2010, for eight years, he served as a Director for the PGA of Australia, including two as Chair.

During this time, he worked hard to ensure the long-term health of the game in Australia. The fruits of his labour plain to see this week, as Australian golf makes history; hosting the world’s best players in the first national Open to be played by men and women at the same time.

“It’s great to see some of the big names come back for the Australian summer,” O’Malley explained. “All the guys are playing good golf and I think Australian golf is in a good spot.”

Although he missed the cut, O’Malley was steady on Thursday as he fired an opening round one-over par 71, in blustery afternoon conditions at Victoria Golf Club.

“It’s great – so good just still to be playing,” said O’Malley, “I played pretty solid, I only hit a couple of bad shots.

“It’s great to be down on the sandbelt, we haven’t been here for a number of years, but it’s one of my favourite places to play.”

Elsewhere, fellow Australian icon Peter Fowler has now played in the national Open in six different decades.

A stunning achievement, he was victorious in 1983, claiming the Stonehaven Cup by three strokes ahead of Ian Baker-Finch.

Incidentally, his win that week came at Kingston Heath Golf Club, so there was a nice sense of symmetry this time around; the field split across the two sandbelt gems on Thursday and Friday.

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