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Amateurs and All Abilities golfers can share the stage with current stars of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia at the Tasmanian Open at Launceston Golf Club from April 4-6.
Dating back to 1913 and with an honour roll that boasts Tasmanian legend Peter Toogood, Frank Phillips, David Graham, Stewart Ginn and Mike Clayton, the Tasmanian Open returned to a professional event in 2023 that incorporates the Women’s Tasmanian Open and the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship.
On the professional side, defending champion Alex Edge and former Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winners Jordan Zunic, Zach Murray, Will Bruyeres (pictured), Aaron Pike and Simon Hawkes are among those to have entered the event that marks the start of the 2025-2026 Pro-Am Series.
It shapes as the strongest field of professionals to contest the Tasmanian Open in more than 30 years, opening the door to local amateurs to pit their skills against some of the best in the country.
“The return of professionals to the Tasmanian Open two years ago has once again elevated the status of our state Open,” said Golf Tasmania Event and Operations Manager, Stuart Eaton.
“Not only is it a great opportunity for golf fans to watch some of the stars of the PGA Tour of Australasia up close, it is a rare opportunity for our top amateur players and promising juniors to play alongside such high-calibre players.
“The popularity of the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship continues to grow and we would love to see our largest ever field for the 2025 championship at Launceston Golf Club.”
Played as a purely amateur event between 1993 and 2022, Mathew Goggin (1994), Cameron Percy (1996, 1997), Geoff Ogilvy (1998) and Brendan Jones (1999) all won in Tassie before embarking on highly successful professional careers.
In more recent years, Zunic (2013), Jarryd Felton (2014) and Anthony Quayle (2015) won as amateurs, professionals welcomed back into the fold at the 2023 championship.
That year it was another amateur, Toby Walker, who came out on top, Edge becoming the first professional winner since Hawkes in 2016 when he edged Caleb Bovalina and Kyle Michel by a shot at Launceston 12 months ago.
Edge’s defence won’t be easy, however, as Launceston welcomes the strongest field of professionals since it was last played as a professional event in the early 1990s.
In addition to past champions Zunic and Hawkes, Murray and Pike both have multiple wins to their credit on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, Bruyeres won the season-opening PNG Open and Brady Watt, Kyle Michel, Tim Hart and Matias Sanchez have all contended deep into tournaments the past two years.
Entries for Men’s Tasmanian Open, Women’s Tasmanian Open and Tasmanian Inclusive Championship close on March 29.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania and the City of Launceston.
He didn’t quite match eventual champion Matt Griffin’s opening day heroics from last year, but Queenslander Jack Munro has got his Heritage Classic campaign off to a hot start at The Heritage Golf and Country Club.
Munro posted 9-under 63 around the St John Course on Friday as Elvis Smylie stared down his closest chaser for the Challenger PGA Tour of Order of Merit title, Ryan Peake, firing a 4-under 68 to Peake’s 74, and took one step closer to wrapping up the season-long title.
Munro leads by two after day one over fellow Queenslander Douglas Klein, who opened with a 7-under 65 and nine birdies in the afternoon wave, including twos on three of the four short holes.
The low scores continued down the leaderboard, with six players tied third at 6-under, including South Australia’s Lachlan Barker and two more Queenslanders in Dylan Gardner and Louis Dobbelaar, the 2023 NZ PGA champion rediscovering form after a tough season to-date.
Smylie’s 68 has him in a share of 13th at 4-under, while Peake has some catching up to do, after beginning his day with two balls in the water and a quadruple-bogey eight on the 10th hole.
Munro was able to get back into the safety of The Heritage clubhouse before the worst of the wind rolled through the property, although he admits that the inclement weather may have aided him on his way to the lead.
“I probably play better in the wind,” he said, still glad to be out of the rain rolling in.
“I just sort of got on a roll on the back nine there.
“I played the first nine fine, but then I think I went 3-2-3 to start the back nine.”
Munro made the turn in 2-under, but that hot start on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout’s back nine suddenly had him 6-under through 12 and joining Gardner at the top of the leaderboard, before making further birdies at 13 and 15.
As the wind strengthened, Munro and his group turned back toward The Heritage clubhouse to play the closing three-holes into the strong breeze.
On the long par-4 16th, Munro was able to steal yet another birdie, before holding his nerve for two closing pars to sign for a cool 9-under 63.
“I hit a nice tee shot there. It’s playing really long and so is 18 actually,” Munro said of the 16th.
“A good second shot in there under the wind and holed a nice one from about 15 foot.
“It’s just nice to just shoot a good score early and we’ll take it as it comes the next couple of days.”
While Dobbelaar’s 66 isn’t enough for the Round 1 lead, many will be delighted to see the Queenslander back in contention on Tour.
The former star amateur broke through for his maiden win two years ago but has made just seven cuts this season, revealing the struggle he has endured since his NZ PGA triumph.
“I’ve done a lot of work in the past couple years it’s felt like, but I feel like lately I’ve actually kind of put my finger on a couple things,” Dobbelaar said after his round.
“Been doing some work with a new coach that’s been helping, and I’m responding well to some of that work.
“I’m just enjoying golf again, really. That’s probably the most important part.
“Conditions were a little bit tricky today, but I feel like I controlled my ball pretty well in the wind.
“That was essential today and held some nice putts. It was a nice solid round.”
Defending champion Jason Norris has teed off in defence of his Spry Civil Construction Murray Bridge Golf Club Legends Pro-Am title at Murray Bridge.
This is the second time this prestigious golf event has been held in Murray Bridge after seeing huge success in 2023.
This year, prolific tour winners such as Brad Burns, Adam Henwood and Guy Wall are all joining Norris for the 36-hole tournament that teed off on Thursday morning.
The Murray Bridge Golf Club, renowned as one of the most exceptional regional courses in South Australia, will attract top talent from the PGA Legends Tour and offers up a prize pool of $37,500.
Supported once again by the Rural City of Murray Bridge, the event provides an opportunity for amateur golfers to compete alongside seasoned professionals. Mayor Wayne Thorley said it was exciting to host the PGA Legends Tour in 2025.
“This event is fantastic and not just for golf enthusiasts who get to spectate some of Australia’s best players on their home course,” Mayor Thorley said.
“Golf has a real opportunity to form part of our tourism offering here in Murray Bridge, especially with the extended 18-hole, par-68 layout we now have.
“The PGA Legends Tour helps promote our region as a whole, bringing interstate travel and interest to our region, filling up accommodation and providing an injection for local businesses.”
Leading up to the event, defending champion Jason Norris said he was looking forward to returning to Murray Bridge, with a goal to make it two straight wins.
“I’ve played a ton at Murray Bridge over the years and got some really good mates in the area, so I can’t wait to get back there,” Norris said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple of wins over the years and the golf course is always in fantastic condition. The course itself is tight and very challenging and with two new holes opening this year, I’m excited to see how they play.”
Entry for spectators is free both days and anyone with an interest in golf or professional sport is encouraged to get out and attend.
The PGA Legends Tour is sanctioned by the PGA of Australia and features up to 70 events over the course of the year and features professional golfers over the age of 50.
The event provides an opportunity for amateur golfers to compete alongside seasoned professionals at the Murray Bridge Golf Club course, known for its manicured fairways and challenging water and sand hazards.
Five Australians will reap the rewards of their performance across last year’s domestic season when they line up in this week’s Porsche Singapore Classic.
The start in the DP World Tour event for Matthew Griffin, Jak Carter, Brett Coletta, Cameron John (pictured) and Daniel Gale is a direct result of their finish on the 2023/2024 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
A fortnight out from the completion of the 2024/2025 season at The National Golf Club, it is a timely reminder of what is on offer.
It was John’s victory at The National 12 months ago that saw him climb to seventh on the final Order of Merit and has paved the way to play the Alfred Dunhill Links in Scotland and now this week in Singapore.
Sixth on last year’s Order of Merit, Carter also played the Dunhill Links and could advance his playing career immeasurably with a strong result this week.
The two most recent Order of Merit winners, David Micheluzzi and Kazuma Kobori, are also teeing it up at Laguna National along with West Australian Jason Scrivener and Kiwi Daniel Hillier.
The Australian influence is strong, too, at the Asian Tour’s International Series Macau.
Ripper GC spearhead Lucas Herbert returns after finishing third in this event 12 months ago and is one of 13 Aussies in the field.
Adam Scott will lead the charge at the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship in Florida and there are nine Aussies playing the Hoag Classic on the PGA TOUR Champions.
Round 1 tee times AEDT
PGA TOUR
Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Cse), Palm Harbor, Florida
9:57pm           Ryan Fox (NZ)
10:13pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Adam Scott
3:01am           Aaron Baddeley
3:23am           Karl Vilips
3:56am           Cam Davis
Recent champion: Peter Malnati
Past Aussie winners: John Senden (2014)
Prize money: $US8.7m
TV times: Live 10:30pm-9am Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday on Fox Sports 503.
DP World Tour
Porsche Singapore Classic
Laguna National Golf Resort Club, Singapore, Singapore
10:50am         David Micheluzzi
10:55am*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Daniel Hillier (NZ)
11am              Matthew Griffin
11:30am         Kazuma Kobori (NZ)
11:55am*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Coletta
12pm              Jak Carter
3:10pm           Jason Scrivener
3:35pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cameron John
4:25pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Daniel Gale
Recent champion: Jesper Svensson
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US2.5m
TV times: Live 4pm-8pm Thursday, Friday on Fox Sports 503; Live 1:30pm-6pm Saturday on Fox Sports 505; Live 1pm-6pm Sunday on Fox Sports 507.
Asian Tour
International Series Macau presented by Wynn
Macau Golf and Country Club, Macau
9:50am*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nick Voke (NZ), Denzel Ieremia (NZ)
10:10am*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Matt Jones
10:45am         Maverick Antcliff
10:50am*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Travis Smyth
11:15am         Jed Morgan
11:20am*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jack Thompson
11:25am         Aaron Wilkin
11:35am         Brett Rankin
2:35pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kevin Yuan
2:55pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Todd Sinnott
3:30pm           Lucas Herbert
3:35pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Scott Hend
4pm                Wade Ormsby
4:15pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lawry Flynn
Recent champion: John Catlin
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US2m
TV times: Live 4:30pm-8:30pm Thursday, Friday; Live 4pm-7pm Saturday on Fox Sports 507.
PGA TOUR Champions
Hoag Classic
Newport Beach CC, Newport Beach, California
Australasians in the field: Steven Alker (NZ), Steve Allan, Stuart Appleby, David Bransdon, Greg Chalmers, Richard Green, Mark Hensby, Brendan Jones, Rod Pampling, Cameron Percy.
Recent champion: Padraig Harrington
Past Aussie winners: Rodger Davis (2003)
Prize money: $US2m
TV times: Live 9am-11am Saturday on Fox Sports 503; Live 7am-10am Sunday, Monday on Fox Sports 507.
HotelPlanner Tour
Delhi Challenge
Classic Golf & Country Club, Gurugram, Haryana, India
12:40pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Haydn Barron
1:50pm           Sam Jones (NZ)
6:05pm           Danny List
7:05pm*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hayden Hopewell
Recent champion: John Parry
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US300,000
Elvis Smylie’s life changed when he successfully got up-and-down on the last at Royal Queensland in November to secure the BMW Australian PGA Championship.Â
As soon as the putt dropped, the young Queenslander became a DP World Tour member, and had proved to the world that he could not only rub shoulders with his heroes, but out-do them when it mattered most.
Smylie had proved that to himself a month earlier however, with his breakthrough win at the Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open.
Those wins have helped Smylie hold onto a strong lead at the top of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit (OOM), however commanding as it may be, last month’s New Zealand Open champion Ryan Peake can still catch him with two events left.
At 1,356.36 points, Smylie is 372 points clear of Peake in second, but with 190 points on offer to the winner of this week’s Heritage Classic, it’s a long shot for Peake.
A strong showing will secure Smylie’s position atop the OOM, and tick off a season-long ambition.
“It was a goal that I set out last October when I started the season,” Smylie said. “It would be really special to be able to achieve that goal this week at The Heritage.
“To be able to say that you’ve won the Australasian Order of Merit, you are the best player throughout a calendar season, not many people have achieved that.
“I think that accolade that comes with the title is incredible, and then everything that comes with it is awesome as well.”
Having already secured his DP World Tour playing rights by way of his win at Royal Queensland, Smylie’s sights are on the other benefits of topping the OOM, including a spot in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Smylie pre-qualified for last year’s championship at Royal Troon, and his missed cut only fuelled his determination further to get back to the sport’s oldest major.
“If Royal Troon taught me anything, it’d be that I want to compete against these guys on a week-to-week basis and I want to play against the best players in the world,” he said.
“I love links golf and I want to test myself against the best, so I’m definitely motivated to get back there.”
Smylie finished middle of the pack at last season’s Heritage Classic, and so has been on the ground since Monday working through familiarising himself with the St John’s layout that he only saw for the first time in 2024.
“I’ve seen both sides of the course now. I played nine yesterday, nine this morning,” Smylie said on Tuesday at The Heritage.
“The course is pretty soft, but the greens can actually get quite speedy, so I think just hitting in the right tiers is really important around here.”
As a Golf Australia Rookie Squad member, Smylie has plans to base himself at the Golf Australia house in London for parts of this year, as he looks to take full advantage of his DP World Tour status around the globe.
“I’m going to China in the middle of April in a couple weeks’ time, and then everything kind of kicks off in Europe around late June onwards. That is when I’ll be basing myself in London.”
The Heritage Classic kicks off Thursday, and the final two rounds over the weekend are live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Moore Park Golf Club, one of Sydney’s premier public golf courses, has been added to the Trackman Virtual Golf library.
This milestone brings the iconic Sydney course to golfers worldwide, allowing them to experience its scenic fairways and challenging layout through Trackman’s cutting-edge simulation technology.
Trackman, a leader in golf performance and virtual golf technology, has meticulously captured the unique features of Moore Park Golf Club to ensure an authentic digital experience.
Golfers can now play the course virtually, whether for practice, competition or leisure, bringing a piece of Sydney’s golf heritage to players across the globe.
“Moore Park Golf has been the home of public golf in Sydney for more than 100 years and we’re extremely excited to have the course immortalised on Trackman,” said Mat Barnes, Moore Park Venue Operations Manager.
“The Trackman team have done an incredible job regarding the realistic playability of the course, and we can’t wait for golfers around the globe to enjoy a Sydney icon from their local Trackman range, Trackman indoor golf centre, or comfort of their own Trackman at home.”
With its stunning city skyline views, well-manicured greens, and strategic design, Moore Park Golf Club has long been a favourite among local and visiting golfers.
Now, through Trackman’s state-of-the-art simulation, the course’s signature challenges – including its strategic bunkering, undulating greens and tree-lined fairways – are accessible to golfers anytime, anywhere.
Trackman’s advanced technology ensures that every detail of Moore Park Golf Club is accurately represented, from the course’s elevation changes to the precise roll of the greens. This development provides a new way for golfers to refine their skills and experience the course in various playing conditions, offering an innovative approach to training and gameplay.
In addition to enhancing the playing experience for golf enthusiasts worldwide, the inclusion of Moore Park Golf Club in the Trackman Virtual Golf library highlights the growing influence of digital platforms in the golf industry. With more golfers seeking high-quality virtual experiences, Trackman continues to expand its library with world-class courses that offer players a realistic and engaging way to enjoy the sport.
Moore Park Golf Club is excited about the opportunities this partnership presents, from increasing global awareness of the course to offering a new and accessible way for players to engage with the game. The integration with Trackman’s Virtual Golf library aligns with the club’s commitment to innovation and excellence in golf.
For more information about Moore Park Golf Club, visit https://mooreparkgolf.com.au/
To learn more about Trackman and its Virtual Golf offerings, visit https://www.trackman.com/
With the exception of Min Woo Lee exciting Aussie golf fans through 36 holes of THE PLAYERS Championship, it was a relatively quiet week for our elite.
Sarah Kemp made a remarkable comeback to competitive golf at the Australian Women’s Classic, Lucas Herbert once again led the way for the Ripper GC boys in Singapore and Hayden Hopewell was tied for seventh at the Kolkata Challenge on the HotelPlanner Tour.
This week, the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit is on the line at the Heritage Classic, the Ladies European Tour continues its Aussie swing with the Women’s NSW Open and there is a strong Australian influence on the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour and Asian Tour.
10. Ryan Peake (10)
Enters the penultimate event of the 2024/2025 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season second on the Order of Merit and with a start at The Open Championship in his back pocket. Needs to win both this week’s Heritage Classic and next week’s The National Tournament to unseat Elvis Smylie and claim the Order of Merit crown.
9. Cam Davis (8)
An unhappy history at THE PLAYERS Championship got a new chapter with rounds of 76-80 to miss the cut for the fourth time in five starts. Will dust himself off and tee it up at this week’s Valspar Championship where he has missed the cut in each of his two appearances in 2019 and 2021.
8. Cassie Porter (7)
Was able to cool her heels back on the Sunshine Coast after a top-five finish in just her second start on the LPGA Tour. Returns to action next week at the Ford Championship in Arizona.
7. Min Woo Lee (9)
Had Aussie golf fans up and about when he played his way into a share of the lead through two rounds at THE PLAYERS. Yes, the weekend didn’t pan out exactly as he’d hoped but it’s clear that the 26-year-old is in a good space with major season just around the corner.
6. Elvis Smylie (6)
A two-time winner this season, Smylie will seek to emulate the previous two Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winners with a third victory at this week’s Heritage Classic. It will be Smylie’s final appearance for the 2024/2025 domestic season.
5. Jason Day (4)
Top-10 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Day was a late withdrawal from THE PLAYERS with a stomach virus. Not in the field for the Valspar Championship.
4. Lucas Herbert (5)
A maiden individual LIV Golf title seems inevitable as Herbert continues his role as the Ripper GC spearhead. Finished tied for 14th at LIV Golf Singapore after shooting 74 in the final round..
3. Minjee Lee (3)
Boasts three top-15 finishes in four starts on the LPGA Tour in 2025, most recently earning runner-up honours at the Blue Bay LPGA. Will next be in action at the T Mobile Match Play from April 2-6.
2. Karl Vilips (2)
The Puerto Rico Open winner was 4-under through 14 holes of his maiden start at THE PLAYERS but made two bogeys and a double bogey to end Round 1 even par. Shot 78 in the second round to miss the cut but will remain in the spotlight having been drawn to play with Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth at the Valspar Championship.
1. Hannah Green (1)
Expect the world No.5 to return fresh and firing when she makes just her third start for the year at next week’s Ford Championship in Arizona.
The Australian Golf Power Rankings is a subjective list developed with input from members of the Australian Golf media team.
The Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia returns to Australian shores this week for the Heritage Classic, the penultimate tournament of the 2024/25 season and a crucial week in the chase for positions on the Order of Merit.
Last year marked the return of the tournament to the Tour calendar after a 10-year hiatus, and it was Victorian Matt Griffin who hoisted the trophy come Sunday.
Opening with an 11-under 61 on the first day last year, Griffin never looked back on his way to posting an astonishing 72-hole total of 24-under par.
Off the back of that win, Griffin’s Order of Merit position in 2023/24 has meant that he is taking up an opportunity on the DP World Tour in Singapore this week, paving the way for a new Heritage Classic winner.
Rain leading up to this week has meant the St. John course at Heritage Golf and Country Club is playing slightly softer so the low scoring is likely to be repeated.
As the Order of Merit battle nears its conclusion, leader Elvis Smylie is back this week to solidify his place at the top and make certain he books himself a place at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Smylie can seal his first Order of Merit title this week if last month’s New Zealand Open champion and OOM No.2, Ryan Peake is not victorious.
A host of players can elevate their standings over the final two weeks on Tour, with the top-three positions still all very much in the balance.
LAST YEAR’S CHAMPION: Matt Griffin
PRIZEMONEY: $225,000
LIVE SCORES: https://pga.org.au/
TV COVERAGE: The Heritage Classic is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
*All times AEDT.
Round 3: Saturday 3pm-6pm (Fox Sports 503/Kayo)
Final Round: Sunday 1pm-6pm (Fox Sports 503/Kayo)
HEADLINERS
Elvis Smylie: 2024 WA Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship winner.
Ryan Peake: 2025 New Zealand Open winner.
Jack Buchanan: 2024 WA PGA and Webex Players Series South Australia champion.
Jake McLeod: 2018 Tour Order of Merit winner.
Phoenix Campbell: Two-time Queensland PGA winner.
Josh Geary: 2025 Vic Open winner.
Anthony Quayle: Two-time Tour winner.
Tyler Hodge: 2025 NZ PGA champion.
As the 36-hole leader, Min Woo Lee was poised to make the biggest step in his professional career at THE PLAYERS Championship this week, but his weekend ended up being a disappointment.
With closing rounds of 78-73, the West Australian eventually finished in a tie for 20th alongside Kiwi Ryan Fox, with Rory McIlroy and JJ Spaun to return on Monday morning for a three-hole playoff to decide the champion.
Lee’s stunning 66 in the second round was the highlight of the week for the Australian contingent, as fellow Aussies Adam Scott, Karl Vilips and Cam Davis all failed to make the cut.
“This is a true test of everything in your game and it’s a great course to play before the Masters, for sure,” Lee told Australian Golf Digest.
“The Masters is right around the corner. Bay Hill last week was the toughest course of the year and (Lee missed the cut) and this week I showed my game is trending in the right direction.”
Victorian Lucas Herbert continued his strong run of form, finishing T14 at LIV Golf Singapore even with a closing 74.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell finished in solo third as 2023 ISPS HANDA Australian Open winner Joaquin Niemann took home yet another trophy to move to the top of the season standings.
Elsewhere, West Australian Hayden Hopewell notched a top-10 on the HotelPlanner Tour in India, finishing in a tie for seventh.
PGA TOUR
THE PLAYERS Championship
TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
1 *playoff between Rory McIlroy and JJ Spaun to be played*
T20 Ryan Fox (NZ) 72-70-72-70 — 284 $US240,250
T20 Min Woo Lee 67-66-78-73– 284 $240,250
MC Adam Scott 74-72
MC Karl Vilips 72-78
MC Cam Davis 76-80
LIV Golf
LIV Golf Singapore
Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
1 Joaquin Niemann 67-64-65 — 196 $US4m
3 Ben Campbell (NZ) 68-67-67 — 202 $1.5m
T14 Lucas Herbert 68-66-74 — 208 $287,000
T19 Cameron Smith 67-70-72– 209 $230,000
T32 Matt Jones 72-70-71 — 213 $151,600
T32 Danny Lee (NZ) 68-69-76 — 213 $151,600
T51 Marc Leishman 74-76-72 — 222 $55,000
HotelPlanner Tour
Kolkata Challenge
Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
1 Joshua Berry 72-62-70-73 — 277 €44,284.37
T7 Hayden Hopewell 69-68-71-72 — 280 €6,444.96
T57 Sam Jones (NZ) 71-72-72-75 — 290 €871.85
MC Haydn Barron 71-74
Epson Tour
IOA Golf Classic
Alaqua Country Club, Longwood, Florida
1 Gina Kim 65-69-68 — 202 $US 33,750
T47 Robyn Choi 70-72-72 — 214 $1,082
MC Su Oh 68-77
MC Caitlin Peirce 72-77
Min Woo Lee’s love affair with TPC Sawgrass suffered a front-nine tiff as the West Australian dropped from contention at THE PLAYERS Championship.
Tied for the lead with American Akshay Bhatia at the start of Round 3, an out-of-sorts went out in 4-over 40, eventually signing for a 78 to fall to a tie for 16th with one round to play.
Just a day after sharing his fondness for a layout that allows him to showcase his creativity, Lee found parts of the course not initially included on the Pete Dye masterplan.
After three pars to start, the 26-year-old’s round began to unravel when he hit a wild tee shot left at the par-4 fifth that came to rest in an unplayable position in shrubbery.
He took back-on-the-line penalty relief some 70 yards across a creek and on an adjacent practice area on his way to a double bogey.
Lee’s tee shot on the next then went way right of the fairway as he made bogey to fall further down the leaderboard.
A ball that hung up in the grass beside a bunker well above his feet at the par-5 ninth was further misfortune that Lee could ill afford, his attempt barely moving the ball as he dropped another shot.
Further bogeys followed at the 11th and 13th and then at the island green of the par-3 17th when he putted from the front fringe to the back fringe, hit a heavy chip and then tapped in from two feet for bogey.
There was one bright moment to end on, holing a putt from outside 25 feet for birdie on the par-4 18th for the second time in three days.
It was as stark a contrast as you could get in ball-striking from one day to the next yet emphasises the challenge presented by one of the game’s most exacting tests.
It was a less dramatic day for Kiwi Ryan Fox who had four birdies and four bogeys in a round of 72 that saw him climb 16 spots and into a share of 33rd.
Photo: Logan Bowles/Getty Images
