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Adam Scott, one of an elite group of golfers who have Australian Open and Australian PGA victories on their records, has confirmed he will be a starter in both tournaments in the upcoming Summer of Golf.
Adam Scott, one of an elite group of golfers who have Australian Open and Australian PGA victories on their records, has confirmed he will be a starter in both tournaments in the upcoming Summer of Golf.
The 43-year-old Australian, who has six Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia victories on his outstanding career resume, is yet another drawcard for the two Aussie majors that had already locked in world No.14 Cam Smith as well as rising stars Min Woo Lee and Cam Davis for their 2023 fields.
Scott’s first appearance of the summer will be at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in Brisbane from November 23-26 when he will look to add to the PGA titles he won in 2013 and 2019 at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
He will then try to win his national open for the second time when The Australian Golf Club and The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney host the ISPS HANDA Australian Open from November 30-December 3.
The 2009 Open champion by five shots at NSW Golf Club came close to clinching last year’s event at the Victoria and Kingston Heath golf clubs in Melbourne, eventually finishing runner-up behind Poland’s Adrian Meronk.
His Open record also includes runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2015, while he was beaten in a playoff in the 2014 PGA.
Always a popular drawcard on his regular visits back to Australia, Scott, who is currently 41 on the Official World Golf Ranking, is sure to be a big hit with the galleries in both Brisbane and Sydney.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said: “Adam has been a wonderful supporter of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and our major events for many years now. Having him back home again this summer for the two Aussie majors will be welcomed by everyone connected to Australian golf.
“Adam always comes to our Australian events with his mind on one thing – winning. I know he will be determined to challenge for both titles and get his hands on the Kirkwood Cup or Stonehaven Cup once again.”
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “Having Adam as part of the Australian Summer of Golf always adds to the anticipation ahead of our two major tournaments.
“Adam is a world-class player and is a threat in any tournament he contests. We are delighted that he has once again committed to play here this summer.”
Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe said: “Adam Scott’s commitment to play the Fortinet Australian PGA in Brisbane, on the back of the news Cam Smith is also headed home, means the PGA has assembled yet another star-studded field, in what is shaping up to be an unmissable tournament this year.
“Adam is a huge drawcard ensuring there will be packed galleries at Royal Queensland to watch him play, which is great news for local hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators, with the event estimated to inject more than $14 million into the local visitor economy.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Adam Scott’s return to the Royal Queensland fairways makes for an even more exciting event.
“With Adam Scott and Cam Smith now on the ticket, the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane will be a massive drawcard for locals and visitors this summer,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The contest for the Kirkwood Cup will be a major driver for visitation to Brisbane, with more than 62,000 fans partaking in the action at the Royal Queensland Golf Club last year.
“The benefits of this sporting showdown will be felt across the city, delivering millions in economic support to local Brisbane restaurants, hotels and tourism experiences.”
As well as being highlight tournaments on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the two Aussie majors will be co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour and form part of the start to the 2023/24 Race to Dubai schedule.
Tickets for both the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and Fortinet Australian PGA Championship are available now via ticketek.com.
The Fortinet Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
Twelve months ago, the CKB WA PGA Championship set the tone for the season that would unfold.
The first event on the 2022/2023 schedule saw Victorian David Micheluzzi (pictured) finish over the top of 2020 champion Jarryd Felton to win his maiden tournament on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
He would win twice more by season’s end in one of the most dominant summers by a player on the Australasian Tour in many years.
It opened the door to starts on the PGA TOUR, the DP World Tour and both the US PGA Championship and The Open Championship and highlighted to all the direct pathway available to golf’s greatest events.
This year, the trek to the Kalgoorlie Golf Course marks the fourth event of the season as the chase for Order of Merit honours begins to intensify.
Last week’s WA Open winner, Simon Hawkes, has moved past NT PGA champion Daniel Gale into top spot with the season’s other winner to date, PNG Open winner Lachlan Barker, in third.
Kalgoorlie Golf Course has hosted the WA PGA Championship since 2012 with the honour roll of past champions boasting Brett Rumford (2015), Dimi Papadatos (2017) and Jarryd Felton (2020).
Designed by Kalgoorlie-born Graham Marsh, the golf course is one of Australia’s most unique, the desert winds providing a stern test to Tour players while the distinctive red dirt frames the fairways like few other courses in Australia.
The final two rounds of the WA PGA Championship will be broadcast live on Fox Sports through Foxtel and Kayo Sports, with coverage to begin at 5pm on Saturday and 2.30pm Sunday AEDT.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For live scoring and the latest news visit www.pga.org.au. Exclusive content and tournament updates will also be posted regularly on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s social media channels.
Instagram: @pgatouraus
Twitter: @PGAofAustralia
Facebook: @PGAofAustralia, @PGATourAus
Official hashtag: #WAPGA
HOW TO WATCH
Catch the action of the third and final rounds on Saturday and Sunday, broadcast live, on Foxtel (Channel 505) and Kayo Sports.
Round 3: Saturday, 5pm-8pm AEDT
Round 4: Sunday, 2.30pm-7.30pm AEDT
RECENT CHAMPIONS
2022 David Micheluzzi
2021 Jay Mackenzie
2020 Jarryd Felton
2019 Darren Beck
2018 Michael Long
2017 Dimitrios Papadatos
2016 Stephen Dartnall
2015 Brett Rumford
COURSE RECORD
Cameron John (63, 2022 WA PGA Championship)
COURSE DESIGNER
Graham Marsh Golf Course Design (2010)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Simon Hawkes, WA Open winner
Lachlan Barker, PNG Open winner
Jarryd Felton, 2020 WA PGA champion
Louis Dobbelaar, 2023 NZ PGA champion
Harrison Crowe, 2022 NSW Open champion
Connor McKinney, WA Open runner-up
The Victorian Golf Industry Awards Night will be held at Huntingdale Golf Club on Friday 27 October 2023. The nominee finalists will be honoured for their outstanding achievements in the last year.
An opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work that PGA Professionals have achieved throughout the state, all nominees continue to do a wonderful job to grow the game of golf; making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Their contributions extending across every aspect of the industry, PGA Professionals will be recognised in four categories.
“The awards night remains a highlight, offering us the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the invaluable work of PGA Professionals continue to do” said Victorian Membership Manager, Luke Bower.
“Our PGA Professionals are the lifeblood of Australian golf, and it’s only fitting that we gather to celebrate their remarkable achievements.”
All vocational award nominees can be found below:
PGA VIC Club Professional of the Year
Heath Benstead – Northern Golf Club
Paul Christie – Geelong Golf Club
Stephen Hibon – Huntingdale Golf Club
Thomas Jefferies – The Sands Torquay Resort
Michael Moore – Rossdale Golf Club
PGA VIC Coach of the Year – High Performance
Darrell Brown – Geelong Golf Club
Brandon Rave – Metropolitan Golf Club
Tim Wood – Rossana Golf Club?
PGA VIC Coach of the Year – Game Development
Kim Collett – Settlers Run Golf and Country Club
Jenna Hunter – Mt Derrimut Golf and Community Club
Brad Howarth – Eynesbury Golf Club
Greg McConnell – Northern Golf Club
Michael Moore – Rossdale Golf Club
Storm Ord – Geelong Golf Club
PGA VIC Management Professional of the Year
Matthew Doran – Freeway Golf
Heath Jones – Warragul Country Club
Chris Longbottom – Hill Top Golf and Country Club
Michael Moore – Rossdale Golf Club
Sienna Voglis – Barham G Resort
David Wren – Rosanna Golf Club
For more information on all awards and the night as a whole, click HERE
Coolangatta’s Jack Wright is hunting a second state championship after earning a share of the lead on day one of the Queensland PGA Associate Championship at Windaroo Lakes.
Returning to the City of Logan for the fifth time, only three of the 90 Associates from across the country broke par on day one, Wright and Murwillumbah Golf Club’s Riley Taylor both posting rounds of 2-under 71.
Maroochy River Golf Club’s Andrew Johnston defied the tricky conditions to turn in 5-under but stumbled on the back nine, the third player to go under par with a round of 1-under 72.
The NSW/ACT PGA Associate champion at Tura Beach, Wright is amassing one of the most impressive seasons by a first year Associate in the program’s history.
He boasts nine wins already this year and had three birdies and a lone bogey to start his quest for the Queensland title.
“I felt like I didn’t really have it early and grinded well, made a couple of good up-and-downs,” said Wright.
“I had a couple of soft bogeys but then I started to work things out and it was pretty good for the rest of the round.”
Although many of the field have prior knowledge of the twisting Windaroo Lakes layout, Wright found the right formula in his first start in the championship.
“You’ve just got to find fairways and hit greens in the right areas,” he added.
“You can’t just go blasting away at the green, you’ve got to find the right areas and leave yourself some good putts because the greens are pretty tricky and they’re fast as well.”
He has something of a surprise for company at the top of the leaderboard in Taylor.
Currently in the process of moving back to his home-town of Casino, Taylor has also had recent surgery, making practice something of a luxury.
“Since the Pampling Plate I haven’t really touched a club,” said Taylor, who had five birdies and three bogeys in his round on Monday.
“I’ve done the bare necessities in terms of practice but I’ve had a few things going on in my personal life.
“I haven’t really done much practice, just little drills here and there.
“Having played here last year I knew that I couldn’t go above the hole today so I played short of the hole and uphill putts for most of the day.”
Johnston had four birdies in succession from the sixth hole to burst clear of the pack, admitting that the putts didn’t fall like they did on the front.
“It just clicked. All the numbers were just the right numbers and all the putts just rolled in,” Johnston said of his front-nine charge.
“Turned front nine in 5-under and then the back nine tightened up a bit. Left a couple of putts short and didn’t have that luck that I had on the front nine.
Round 2 will begin at 7am Tuesday morning.
Photo: The Australian
The Australian golf community extends its deep condolences to the family and friends of John Kinghorn, who has passed away aged 81.
A dedicated and passionate golfer, Kinghorn’s most significant contribution to the game came through the foundation he and his wife Jill started, the Kinghorn Foundation, which has supported Golf Australia’s Rookie Program with contributions of over $14 million since 2009 to create a bright future for Australian golf. Additionally, the Foundation has made significant contributions to the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation.
The Foundation has helped foster the development and opportunities for the next generation of elite Australian players, with the Rookie Program graduates a testament to his contribution.
Those graduates including Cameron Smith, Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Cameron Davis, Grace Kim, Lucas Herbert, and Min Woo Lee, with the Rookie Program playing an important role for all as they cemented themselves as the bright lights for Australian golf’s future.
Beyond the Rookie Program, the Kinghorn Foundation through John and Jill’s generosity, played an integral part in the creation and activity of the Australian Golf House that has ensured Australian players have a place to feel at home in Orlando, Florida.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Kinghorn, and wish to express my condolences to his family, especially his wife Jill,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said.
“The Kinghorn Foundation has been integral in ensuring the future of Australian golf is a bright and prosperous one through the support of both the Rookie Program and Australian Golf House.”
The Foundation is also a significant supporter of Jack Newton Junior Golf, a foundation delivering golf opportunities for all junior golfers in his home state of New South Wales started by the late golfer it is named for.
“John’s character and generosity is demonstrated by his significant and tireless contribution towards numerous community causes, charities, foundations, children, minority groups and many other philanthropic campaigns. We are extremely fortunate that the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation has been one of the lucky beneficiaries of his generosity over the last 10 years,” Jack’s son Clint Newton said.
“On behalf of the Newton family and Jack Newton Junior Golf, both past and present, I want to pass our deepest condolences to his wife Jill, and the entire Kinghorn family.
“John’s values, principles, and legacy will live on because of the seeds he planted over the past several decades, and we are grateful to have known such a giant of man, but the world is a little less bright for now with his passing.”
Through his philanthropy in the golf space, and via the many golfers who have benefited from his generosity, Kinghorn’s legacy will live on in Australian golf.
Sarah Kemp’s 15-year search for her first LPGA Tour victory will continue, but the veteran Australian completed her week in Indian at least calm in the knowledge that she has a chance of reaching the Tour Championship.
Kemp, 37, shot a closing 69 at The Colony in Texas but the 54-hole deficit she conceded to South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim was too much for her.
Ultimately Kim also shot a 69 to win by four shots.
The former Australian junior champion finished fourth – her third top-10 finish of the season and the 12th of a career that dates back to the 2009 season in America.
Her best-ever finish on the main tour was tied-second at the 2019 Vic Open at 13th Beach.
The top 60 players on the tour’s points list will qualify for the CME Group Championship in Naples, Florida next month, worth $US7 million.
Kemp began the week ranked 72nd and is headed for the Asia swing to lock up her place in the field for the season-ender, a group that already will include Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Grace Kim and possibly Stephanie Kyriacou.
“I’m definitely having one of my better years for sure,” she said. “I didn’t play well last week but I wasn’t too worried about it. Yeah, just been playing nice and solid this year. Nothing too crazy. Been putting well.
“I looked at my stats and they were some of the better ones this year than previous years, so just keeping it together and having a better attitude than I have in the last few years. Sometimes I think I have been trying a little too hard and wanting it a bit too bad, which is not a bad thing, but I think it sort of turned around and hurt some of my game at one point.”
Meanwhile Australia will have another player on the LPGA Tour next season after the conclusion of the Epson Tour today, with Gabriela Ruffels finishing the No. 1 player with her three wins.
Queenslander Robyn Choi needed a strong finish in the Tour Championship and ended up tied-14th, but narrowly missed jumping into the top 10 on the points list and missed out on her LPGA card.
Elsewhere overseas Rhein Gibson (ranked 40th) finished the Korn Ferry Tour as the top-ranked Australian but none of the Aussies found their way into the top 30 who pick up PGA TOUR cards for 2024.
Results
PGA TOUR
Sanderson Farms Championship, Country Club of Jackson
LPGA Tour
The Ascendant, The Colony, Texas
Korn Ferry Tour
Tour Championship, Victorian National Golf Club, Indiana
Japan Tour
ACN Championship, Sanko Golf Club
Ladies European Tour
Aramco Series, Hong Kong GC
DP World Tour
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
PGA Champions
Constellation Furyk and Friends, Jacksonville
Asian Tour
International Series Singapore, Tanah Merah Country Club
LET Access Series
Lombardia Ladies Open, Golf Club Varese, Italy
Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia
WA Open, Joondalup Country Club
Epson Tour
Tour Championship, LPGA International, Florida
PHOTO: Sarah Kemp drives on her way to a closing 69 on the LPGA Tour today. Image: Getty
Recent good form and the memories of his thrilling win 12 months ago are driving Bailey Arnott ahead of the defence of his Queensland PGA Associate Championship starting Monday.
A field of 92 players drawn from across the country will compete for the Carnegie Clark Cup at Windaroo Lakes Golf Club, the fifth time the championship has been hosted by the City of Logan.
In the third year of the Membership Pathway Program under his dad, Tom, at Caloundra Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast, Arnott knows his defence won’t come easy.
A strong field of first year Associates led by nine-time winner Jack Wright (Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club) and a host of interstate challengers will ensure compelling competition over the coming four days.
And Arnott knows he will need more than happy memories to hold them at bay.
“It was a thrilling finish last year, holing that long putt on the 72nd hole,” said Arnott, who won by two strokes from Sheradyn Johnson (The National Golf Club) in 2022.
“The memories of the Windaroo layout are positive so I am hoping for another great week.
“I have been building throughout the year and feel I am coming into some form at the right time.”
Among Wright’s 2023 wins was last month’s NSW/ACT PGA Associate Championship at Tura Beach Country Club while Dylan Gardner (Pelican Waters) is a perennial contender in the big events.
Leading the interstate charge is Joe Kim (Concord Golf Club), the New South Welshman currently fourth on the National Average rankings with -1.50 under par over 34 rounds.
Other players to watch include Baxter Droop (Yarrawonga Mulwala Resort), Liam Reaper (The National Golf Club) and recent Pampling Plate winner, Lachlan Wood (Hervey Bay Golf Club).
As the history of the Queensland Associate Championship at Windaroo Lakes continues to grow, Head Professional Tanner Jackson said the club is thrilled to once again be hosting Associates from across Australia.
“We absolutely love having the Queensland PGA Associate Championship here,” said Jackson.
“All the members get behind the event and we have a great group of club sponsors who support it.”
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the championship was a welcome part of the city’s event calendar.
“Logan is a sport-loving city and we look forward to welcoming the event once again,” Cr Power said.
“I’m sure we will witness another great year of competition and I wish all players the very best.”
Play begins at 7am AEST Monday morning at Windaroo Lakes Golf Club.
Tasmanian Simon Hawkes is now a two-time winner on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia thanks to a brilliant up-and-down on the 72nd hole of the Nexus Advisernet/Bowra & O’Dea WA Open.
Hawkes arrived at Joondalup Country Club on Sunday with a four-stroke lead, an advantage that would be halved to just two by the time the lead group reached the third tee.
He and veteran Jason Norris went toe-to-toe for the next 14 holes before a dramatic two-shot swing at the par-4 16th.
As local hope Connor McKinney rode a wave of home-club support to put himself in the mix, the stalemate between Hawkes and Norris was broken on 16.
On the toughest hole all week, Hawkes piloted in a 40-foot putt down the hill for birdie as Norris made bogey after missing the green with his approach.
A dropped shot by Hawkes at the par-3 17th gave McKinney a sniff with an eagle putt from just outside six feet on 18, the 21-year-old mystified when the ball stayed outside the left edge.
McKinney’s tap-in birdie was enough to set the mark in the clubhouse at 15-under but he could only watch as Hawkes navigated his way down the 18th.
A drive that trickled into the left rough gave Hawkes a daunting second with water all down the left side of the green.
The 34-year-old drilled a 4-iron down the right side but was faced with every amateur golfer’s worst nightmare when it trickled into the right-hand bunker some 40 metres short of the green.
In an eerily similar scenario to his 2018 Vic Open victory, Hawkes opened the face of a 9-iron, played an exquisite explosion shot and then watched on as his ball travelled down the tier to just inside five feet, sealing the deal with a closing birdie and for a round of 70 and 17-under total.
“The weirdest thing for me is that it was identical to the Vic Open,” said Hawkes, who works full-time on the grounds crew in the construction of Seven Mile Beach golf course in Hobart.
“I had a driver and I had a 4-iron into the green. I hit into a greenside bunker and then got up-and-down from the greenside bunker to win the tournament.
“I don’t know if that’s my formula for winning golf tournaments but I said to my caddie, ‘I wish I could make it a little easier.’ Four-shot lead up the last next time please.”
Hawkes appeared to have the chasing pack at arm’s length when he led by three through six holes of the final round but dropped shots at nine and 10 opened the door.
Norris and Kiwi Kerry Mountcastle looked the two most likely until McKinney thundered into the frame.
Three straight birdies from the seventh hole elevated him to 13-under and he kept the foot to the floor.
Bogeys at 10 and 16 would ultimately prove his undoing yet McKinney had the Joondalup members on tenterhooks as he lined up his eagle putt on the last.
A Sunday 66 was enough for a share of second alongside Norris (68) with Mountcastle (69) tied with former champion Braden Becker (65) in fourth spot.
For Hawkes, the victory is further validation of his status on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“To win once on tour is something but when you become a multiple tour winner it’s that next level of recognition,” said Hawkes.
“To now be a multiple tour winner… It’s still sinking in. What that means is that I can now set a schedule for the next three years and I look forward to playing the Australian PGA and the Australian Open again this year.
“I was going to play in Australia until my category runs out and fortunately now that’s now another 10 years. So well done Simon, signed yourself up for another 10 years of this.”
Queensland amateur Quinnton Croker claimed the Terry Gale Cup as leading amateur, finishing in a tie for ninth, his second consecutive top-10 finish on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
It was an enthralling finish to the WA All Abilities Open Championship also held on Sunday, Lachlan Wood holding off two-time champion Cameron Pollard for a two-stroke win.
Leading by one heading into the final round, Wood made a double bogey on the difficult par-5 fourth to hand Pollard a one-shot advantage, the pair locked together at the top when Pollard dropped a shot on seven.
Nothing separated the two most dominant All Abilities players in Australia until Pollard found trouble from the tee on the par-4 16th.
With a three-stroke lead playing the final hole, Wood watched on as Pollard hit 4-iron from 180 metres to set up an eagle chance.
That putt slid by the left edge and Wood was able to two-putt from the front of the green for a par and his first WA All Abilities crown.
“There was a lot of pressure, it was head-to-head, back and forth,” said Wood, who will travel cross country to tee it up in the Queensland PGA Associate Championship in Brisbane on Monday morning.
“I’m just glad to be over here and playing this event. It’s a big event and thanks to a couple of really important sponsors back home in Enzo’s and Mark from Hervey Bay Hotel and Journal18 Golf.
“Without them I wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure.”
Tasmanian Simon Hawkes has just teed off in the final round as he seeks to close out victory at the Nexus Advisernet/Bowra & O’Dea WA Open at Joondalup Country Club.
Awarded to the WA Open champion, the Roy Paxton Bowl carries names such as Greg Norman, Kel Nagle, Gary Player, Graham Marsh and Ian Baker-Finch.
Terry Gale is a six-time WA Open champion and will be on hand for the official presentations to present the Terry Gale Cup to the leading amateur.
Following three successive rounds of 5-under 67, Hawkes is in prime position to add to his only previous victory on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, the 2018 Vic Open.
Veteran Jason Norris is his nearest challenger while rookies and Joondalup members Connor McKinney and Josh Greer will be out to produce some Sunday fireworks on their home course.
Final round coverage is live and exclusive on Fox Sports through Foxtel and Kayo, with coverage to start at 2.30pm AEDT.
Just one dropped shot in his past 48 holes has given Tasmanian Simon Hawkes a four-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Nexus Advisernet/Bowra & O’Dea WA Open at Joondalup Country Club.
As blustery winds that switched and cooled during the round kept scoring in check for most players, Hawkes separated himself with a third straight round of 5-under 67 to be 15-under through 54 holes.
Veteran Jason Norris (69) is Hawkes’ nearest challenger at 11-under, one clear of Perth’s Jarryd Felton (71) with Joondalup local Connor McKinney (71), Blake Windred (70) and Kiwi Kerry Mountcastle (71) all at 9-under and six strokes from the lead.
A winner on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia five years ago at the Vic Open, Hawkes now juggles part-time tournament golf with his full-time job on the ground crew at Seven Mile Beach golf course in Hobart.
He says that perspective should hold him in good stead as he seeks to close out a second Tour win on Sunday.
“If I win tomorrow, great, I go back to work. If I don’t win, I go back to work. It’s a bit different now,” said Hawkes.
“I imagine if this was three or four years ago where this was my sole, primary living there’d be a much different attitude.
“It’s interesting, as soon as you take that stress away of trying to make money at this game, if you just play golf to win tournaments, it’s a shitload easier than playing golf for money, I can tell you that.
“If someone shoots 62 tomorrow and jumps over me, then good on ‘em, that’s just golf. My perspective tomorrow is to just have the same attitude and process that I did today.”
For most of Saturday’s third round there was jostling for top spot on the leaderboard before Hawkes separated himself late on the back nine.
Felton joined Hawkes at 10-under with a birdie at the first but dropped back to 9-under with a bogey on two.
Norris also made bogey on two but responded with three birdies in the space of four holes to join Hawkes at 10-under.
After starting his third round with five straight pars, Hawkes made birdies on six and eight to move to 12-under and a two-stroke lead through eight holes.
The 34-year-old missed a golden opportunity to extend his lead to two at 12, leaving a birdie putt from five feet dead centre on the edge of the hole, Felton converting his chance from close range to join Norris at 11-under and one back.
Back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 saw Hawkes extend his lead to three at 14-under and when he poured in a 15-footer from the back of the 16th green his advantage pushed out to four.
A two-time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Norris spent four months this year playing the Legends Tour in Europe, the 51-year-old excited at the prospect of trying to chase down Hawkes in the final round on Sunday having been convinced to play by a mate from Adelaide.
“I wasn’t coming to Perth; my mate Shannon ‘Ace’ Aistrope talked me into it,” Norris revealed.
“I thought about going to the seniors events and playing a few of those but I still think I’m good enough to play on the Tour.
“I love being in the mix and I love the pressure of it. You either will or you won’t perform but I love that aspect of it, it’s good fun.
“If Hawkesy plays well again and shoots another 4 or 5-under no one will catch him, but I just want to be in there with a chance with nine holes to go.”
Another player in with a chance is South Australian Jak Carter.
Carter’s 6-under 66 was the best of Round 3 and catapulted him into a tie for seventh with one round to play.
“Through my past two rounds I was not able to hit an iron shot that well at all and just somehow have made it work,” said Carter, who is currently completing the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program.
“Today it was actually nice to find the middle of the clubface.”
McKinney kept alive his hopes of a win on home soil with three birdies in his final five holes, fellow Joondalup member Josh Greer one stroke further back in a share of seventh after finishing his round with three straight birdies.
Saturday also saw the first round of the WA All Abilities Open Championship where Queenslander Lachlan Wood leads by one from Coffs Harbour’s Cameron Pollard.
A triple-bogey at the par-4 ninth was Wood’s greatest miss-step in a round of 3-over 75, Pollard bouncing back from a triple-bogey at the par-5 eighth to shoot 76.
The final round of the Nexus Advisernet/Bowra & O’Dea WA Open will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo on Sunday, with coverage starting at 2.30pm through to 7.30pm AEDT.
