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NSW professional Alex Edge birdied his final hole to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round of the 2024 Tasmanian Open at Launceston Golf Club today.
The 34-year-old, who has been a regular on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia since 2016, shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead Tasmania Golf Club PGA Professional Scott Priest by a shot heading into the weekend, with Tim Hart (Qld) and Kyle Michel (Vic) sharing third at 2-under.
The leading amateur, Victorian Christopher Sayer, is part of a group of six players at 1-under, while defending champion Toby Walker is six back after a 74.
Edge’s opening round in the 54-hole adidas Pro-Am Series event featured five birdies with his only slip-up coming at the 330m par-4 16th.
“I was a pretty nice round to be fair. I kept it out of the strife all day pretty much,” Edge said.
“It was enjoyable playing a course that wasn’t crazy long and gave us a lot chances for up and downs for birdie.
“I hadn’t been here for a couple of years. It’s a nice old, style course that gives you the chance to be a bit creative and get wedge in hand pretty often.”
In the all-amateur women’s Open, Matilda Miels turned in the only under-par round on day one, a 1-under 72, to grab a two-shot lead over Rebecca Zhao with Jorjah Bailey a further two shots back.
Miels, from Kooyonga in South Australia, picked up six birdies, including a sequence of three to start her day when she took advantage of the back-to-back par-5 10th and 11th holes and the short-par 12th.
”The course is short and the greens are running quick,” Miels said.
“It was good to hole a couple of putts out there today.
“I don’t mind coming to Tasmania. My boyfriend’s parents live here. so we’ve been back a few times this year.”
Zhao (NSW) staged a great fightback on the back nine, shooting a 3-under 34 after going out in 4-over 40.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
Australian golf’s biggest showman, Min Woo Lee, is making a new home for himself in a very appropriate place, Las Vegas, but he’s keeping Australia very much on his mind.
Not only is Lee, ranked No.32 in the world, determined to represent his country at the Olympic Games in Paris for the first time, he’s already locked in his Australian PGA Championship title defence at Royal Queensland in November.
Buy your 2024 Australian PGA Championship tickets HERE.
Lee said coming back to Brisbane as the defending champion would be a new experience, but one he’s already looking forward to.
“It was obviously big for me to win a tournament in Australia. Being in front of my friends and family was massive and I love Royal Queensland,” the West Australian said today.
“It’s a course I love playing and I feel like it suits my game pretty good.
“The crowds at Royal Queensland are always awesome. It’s a great vibe that just keeps getting bigger.”
After an awesome Australian summer, where he also contended for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open title before finishing third, Lee is settling in to life in the United States where he has been a guest in American pro Kurt Kitayama’s home when not playing tournament golf as a fulltime member of the PGA TOUR for the first time.
His own home in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” is on the way and will make his move away from Perth even more comfortable, helping his bid to build on a season that he has graded as a B so far.
The clear highlight in eight events has been a T2 finish at the Cognizant Classic in Florida.
“It’s massive to have a place to stay in America and not have to travel all the way back to Australia.
“I do miss Australia and I do miss my friends and family but I think it helps having that home base.”
Lee’s next event will be The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas in early May but the No.2-ranked Australian also has an eye on the Paris Olympic Games in July, with his T22 result at the Masters edging him closer to qualification.
The top 15 in the world and top two ranked players from each country will earn a place in the field at Le Golf National in July.
As it currently stands, Lee and Jason Day (No.22) would be the Australian men’s duo.
“It’s definitely a talking point. Every week I get asked, so it’s in my brain, in my head,” he said of the potential to become an Olympian like sister Minjee.
“I would love to represent Australia. It’s one of the goals I’ve had from the last year or so when the talk started happening.”
Twelve months ago, a Tasmanian Open triumph was the ideal way to sign off on a strong amateur career.
This week, Toby Walker returns to Launceston Golf Club not only a member of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, but in the first months of his training to become a fully qualified PGA Professional.
Starting Friday, the 2024 Tasmanian Open marks the second time that it has featured on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series after 30 years as a purely amateur event.
The honour roll of amateur winners includes 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, 15-time Japan Golf Tour winner Brendan Jones, PGA TOUR players Mathew Goggin, Cameron Percy and Nick Flanagan.
In more recent years, gun amateurs such as Jordan Zunic, Jarryd Felton, Anthony Quayle and Hayden Hopewell won the Tasmanian Open before joining the pro ranks, Walker joining their ilk with a four-stroke win in 2023.
But it wasn’t supposed to be that way.
With professionals back in the field the calibre of Ben Eccles, 2016 champion Simon Hawkes and Daniel Fox, the amateurs were supposed to step to the side.
But nobody told Toby.
He held at least a share of the lead all three days, closing it out with a round of 4-under 68 to win by four strokes.
It was the exclamation point on his amateur career, moving into the professional ranks after earning his Tour card at Qualifying School two months later.
Walker earned his first adidas PGA Pro-Am Series win as a pro in just his 12th start but by the end of the year decided to enrol in the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program under good friend Michael Dean at The Heritage Golf and Country Club.
“I did my first year on tour and I enjoyed it, but I decided to go back and do the MPP, take a step back from playing golf full-time and try to get back to enjoying it,” said Walker.
“The fact that I want to coach later on in life, you can’t really do that unless you have the MPP behind you. Mike’s been my mate of many years and is the Head Professional at Heritage so he said to come over and do my time out there with him.”
With Dean also in the field this week, Walker’s title defence has taken on a different perspective.
The 24-year-old is not feeling any pressure as the reigning champ, more soaking up the experience of spending a week on tour with a mate.
“It’s more about the week with Mike, to be honest,” said Walker.
“Just come out here and watch the footy at a couple of local pubs and enjoy coming back here and supporting the event.
“It’s great to be able to return to an event such as this as the defending champ and to be able to spend time and have fun with a couple of mates.
There are 36 amateurs in the field along with a strong field of professionals including Tour winners Simon Hawkes, Ashley Hall and Scott Laycock, prolific pro-am winners Tim Hart and Kyle Michel and Tour Members such as Alex Edge, Anthony Choat and Will Bruyeres.
The championship will be contested over 54 holes with total prize money of $35,000.
The Tasmanian Open women’s competition held will also be held over the three days with the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship to be conducted over 36 holes across the weekend.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
The Day Off The Green brought women from across the golf industry together for a day of networking, learning and professional development.
Held as part of Golf Australia’s Women and Girls Month, the Day Off The Green brought women from across the golf industry together for a day of professional development.
Women still make up the minority within the golf industry, and so by providing a space for them to meet others working in the industry and share experiences, the day allowed participants to learn in an environment that recognised their unique challenges.
Held at the PGA Institute in Sandhurst, Australia’s home of golf education, the room was at capacity, with 43 women from across a broad spectrum of the golf industry in attendance.
Guest speakers included Kingston Heath President Nikki McLure, Specialist Trainer Janine Mitchell, Executive Coach Karen Faendrich, Training Specialist Glenn Burbidge and Golf Australia’s Head of Workforce Engagement Claudia Marazita, and each spoke on a unique aspect of working and thriving in the industry.
A big focus of the day was also to provide workshops and content that was able to be transferred back into the workplace.
Specifically Burbridge and Marazita both focussed on practical sessions. How to work in a high performing team, and how to take ownership of your own professional development journey.
Similarly, Faendrich presented on leadership skills, while Mitchell spoke on resilience and confidence in the workplace. McClure’s presentation opened the day and by sharing her journey into the golf industry she provided a relatable and inspirational introduction.
The Day Off The Green concluded with a chip and sip, a casual chance for the women to debrief on a successful day.
Some testimonials from those who attended:
“Thanks for bringing amazing women together and giving us this opportunity to grow and thrive,” Cindy Thang, Marketing Manager at Golf Ball Recycling.
“I found the presenters to be of an extremely high calibre, the content engaging and the chance to network with other like-minded women in the golf industry was invaluable. The workshops covered a lot of valuable content and there were many light bulb moments and self-reflection,” Sylvia Bourne, Membership and events at Keysborough Golf Club.
“Congratulations on delivering a fantastic event yesterday. It was enriching, highly relevant, and enjoyable,” Dayle Marshall, Membership and Communications Manager at The Metropolitan Golf Club.
“My colleague and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would certainly recommend it to anyone. The speakers were great, particularly Karen Faehndrich. Karen is an inspirational speaker and has had a profound effect on me. To be honest, I am still trying to process her session which was so jammed-packed. Karen is one of the most engaging speakers I have had the privilege to listen to,” Marcelle Doran, Membership and Guest Services Manager, The Rosanna Golf Club.
Reigning Australian PGA champion Min Woo Lee has locked in the defence of his title at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane from November 21-24.
One of the emerging stars in world golf whose style of play and charisma on and off the course has attracted a massive global fan base, Lee will have his sights on being the first player to defend the Joe Kirkwood Cup since Cam Smith in 2018.
The West Australian scored a memorable three-shot win at Royal Queensland last November, shooting a total of 20-under-par to secure his biggest title on home soil.
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Since his PGA success, his fourth victory as a professional, Lee has moved to the United States to play as a full-time member of the PGA TOUR, has improved his world ranking to a career-high of No.31 and is a strong contender for selection in Australia’s Olympic Games golf team for Paris.
The 25-year-old’s 2024 campaign has included a tie for second at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
Min Woo Lee said: “The Australian PGA Championship was a very special event for me last year, seeing a lot of friends, being in contention and then closing the win out on Sunday.
“The crowds at Royal Queensland are always awesome. It’s a great vibe that just keeps getting bigger.
“Coming back as the defending champion is going to be a new experience, but I’m already looking forward to it.”
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said: “It’s a huge boost for the 2024 Australian PGA Championship to have our defending champion Min Woo Lee signed on to compete at Royal Queensland in November.
“Min put on an awesome show last year, showing why he is one of world golf’s biggest drawcards.
“He has that X factor that golf fans here in Australia and overseas love to see and get behind.
“We have already experienced strong early ticket sales for this year’s event and having confirmation from Min that he will be coming back to Royal Queensland should give us another huge boost.”
Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy said: “This is terrific news, having one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic players in Min Woo Lee, commit to return and defend his Australian PGA title at the historic Royal Queensland course later this year.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting Australia’s oldest professional golf tournament again in 2024, an event that always assembles world-class fields, attracts massive galleries, and further cements Queensland’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events.
“Last year’s tournament welcomed over 61,000 people to Royal Queensland Golf Club injecting more than $14 million into the local visitor economy.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the return of the 2023 champion and rising star is a huge win for local golf fans.
“We are thrilled to welcome Min Woo Lee for another Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland later this year,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This event is a major driver for visitation to Brisbane, with more than 61,000 fans attending to watch Lee claim his first Australian PGA victory last year.
“Brisbane is proud to host the Australian PGA Championship once again, with the event to deliver incredible economic support to local Brisbane businesses with hotels, tourism experiences and restaurants set to experience the economic upswing.”
The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Economic Development Agency
Australia will have its strongest representation in tournament history with nine Aussies to tee it up at The Chevron Championship starting Thursday night in Texas.
Led by major champions Minjee Lee and Hannah Green, the nine Aussies in the field betters the previous mark by two, achieved in 2003, 2004 and 2019.
Six Aussies played at The Club at Carlton Woods 12 months ago, those numbers bolstered by Gabi Ruffels and Hira Naveed graduating to the LPGA Tour in 2024 and Queenslander Robyn Choi returning after a single season back in 2019.
A two-time major winner, Lee has been paired with defending champion Lilia Vu and current world No.1 Nelly Korda for the first two rounds in what is the marquee group of the opening two days.
Pictured with Stephanie Kyriacou, Grace Kim and Sarah Kemp after her win at the HSBC Women’s World Championship last month, Green tees off at the same time as her fellow West Australian at 4.10am AEST alongside Pajaree Anannarukarn and Hye-Jin Choi.
Buckle up because The Random Club Challenge was quite the rollercoaster with Aussies @Stephkyriacou2 and @hannahgreengolf 😂 pic.twitter.com/oSuUOYDG7u
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 17, 2024
Ruffels first played The Chevron – known then as the ANA Inspiration – back in 2020 as an amateur, where she was tied for 15th on debut.
Still just 23 years of age, Ruffels has finished top-25 in her two starts in the event since turning professional, her last appearance a tie for 25th in 2022.
Fellow LPGA Tour rookie Hira Naveed makes her major championship debut on the back of her runner-up finish at the Ford Championship two weeks ago, a result that saw her climb 542 spots to 106th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking.
As the Aussie women count down to their first major of the year, there is an enormous Australian contingent this week also on the Asian Tour.
A total of 18 Aussies are in action at the Saudi Open in Saudi Arabia which began on Wednesday afternoon AEST.
Wade Ormsby birdied each of his opening two holes to lead the way early in Round 1 with Harrison Crowe, Jordan Zunic and Maverick Antcliff out in the early groups.
Off the back of their week at Augusta National, Jason Day and Cam Davis will fly the Aussie flag at the $US20 milllion RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, the West Australian trio of Haydn Barron, Connor McKinney and Hayden Hopewell are joined by Victorian Tom Power Horan at the Abu Dhabi Challenge on the Challenge Tour and defending champion Mark Hensby is among the 10 Aussies in the field for the Invited Celebrity Classic on the PGA TOUR Champions.
Round 1 tee times AEST
LPGA Tour
The Chevron Championship
The Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Texas
11:10pm Grace Kim, Leona Maguire, Anna Nordqvist
11:32pm Robyn Choi, Jin Hee Im, Hinako Shibuno
11:43pm* Maria Fassi, Hira Naveed, Megan Schofill (a)
4:10am Pajaree Anannarukarn, Hye-Jin Choi, Hannah Green
4:10am* Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, Lilia Vu
4:32am Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Stephanie Kyriacou, Polly Mack
4:32am* Gabriela Ruffels, Madelene Sagstrom, Lottie Woad (a)
4:43am Perrine Delacour, Sarah Kemp, Miyu Yamashita
4:54am Aditi Ashok, Karis Davidson, Danielle Kang
Round 2
11:10pm Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, Lilia Vu
11:10pm* Pajaree Anannarukarn, Hye-Jin Choi, Hannah Green
11:32pm Gabriela Ruffels, Madelene Sagstrom, Lottie Woad (a)
11:32pm* Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Stephanie Kyriacou, Polly Mack
11:43pm* Perrine Delacour, Sarah Kemp, Miyu Yamashita
11:54pm* Aditi Ashok, Karis Davidson, Danielle Kang
4:10am* Grace Kim, Leona Maguire, Anna Nordqvist
4:32am* Robyn Choi, Jin Hee Im, Hinako Shibuno
4:43am Maria Fassi, Hira Naveed, Megan Schofill (a)
Defending champion: Lilia Vu
Past Aussie winners: Karrie Webb (2000, 2006)
Prize money: $US7.9 million
TV times: Live 12:30am-4am Friday, Saturday; Live 4am-8am Sunday, Monday on Fox Sports 505 and Kayo.
Asian Tour
Saudi Open presented by PIF
Riyadh Golf Club, Saudia Arabia
1:20pm Ayoub Lguirati, Douglas Klein, Prince Khalid Saud Al-Faisal (a)
1:30pm Stefano Mazzoli, Lion Park, Lachlan Barker
1:40pm Ye Wocheng, Jordan Zunic, Manav Shah
2pm Ervin Chang, Deyen Lawson, Jared Du Toit
2pm* Prom Meesawat, Jack Thompson, Saud Al Sharif
2:10pm* Harrison Crowe, Agustin Errazuriz, Jeunghun Wang
2:20pm* Lee Chieh-po, Sarit Suwannarut, Kevin Yuan
2:30pm Shahriffuddin Ariffin, Settee Prakongvech, Maverick Antcliff
2:30pm* Wade Ormsby, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Kiradech Aphibarnrat
2:50pm Charlie Lindh, Aaron Wilkin, Tomoyo Ikemura
2:50pm* Denwit Boriboonsub, John Catlin, Travis Smyth
6:10pm Austen Truslow, Issa Abouelela (a), Justin Warren
6:20pm* Angelo Que, Chapchai Nirat, Sam Brazel
6:50pm Steve Lewton, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Jed Morgan
7pm* Daniel Gale, Chang Wei-lun, Rattanon Wannasrichan
7:10pm Jaco Ahlers, Scott Hend, Ratchanon Chantananuwat (a)
7:20pm* SSP Chawrasia, Suteepat Prateeptienchai, Zach Murray
7:30pm* Jbe Kruger, Todd Sinnott, Siddikur Rahman
Defending champion: Denwit Booribonsub
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US1 million
TV times: Live 8:30pm-12:30am Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; Live 9:15pm-12am Saturday on Fox Sports 505 and Kayo.
PGA TOUR
RBC Heritage
Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
11:35pm Jason Day, Eric Cole
11:50pm Cam Davis, Byeong Hun An
Defending champion: Matt Fitzpatrick
Past Aussie winners: Graham Marsh (1977), Greg Norman (1988), Peter Lonard (2005), Aaron Baddeley (2006)
Prize money: $US20 million
TV times: Live 10:15pm-8am Thursday; Live 9:15pm-8am Friday; Live 11pm-8am Saturday; Live 8:45pm-8am Sunday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo.
Corales Puntacana Championship
Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Cse), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
3:21am Harrison Endycott, Parker Coody, Herman Wibe Sekne
Defending champion: Matt Wallace
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US4 million
TV times: Live 10pm-12am Thursday, Friday on Fox Sports 507; 9am-10:30am Sunday; 8:30am-10:30am Monday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo.
Ladies European Tour
Joburg Ladies Open
Modderfontein Golf Club, South Africa
7:20pm* Emily Price, Jane Turner, Amy Walsh
Defending champion: Lily May Humphreys
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: €300,000
TV times: Live 9:30pm-12am Saturday; Live 9pm-12am Sunday on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo.
Korn Ferry Tour
LECOM Suncoast Classic
Lakewood National Golf Club (Commander Cse), Lakewood Ranch, Florida
10:12pm* David Kocher, Rhein Gibson, Scott Harrington
10:56pm* John Lyras, Yi Cao, Dillon Board
2:25am* Dimi Papadatos, Tag Ridings, Morgan Hoffmann
3:20am* Trevor Cone, Brett Drewitt, Jamie Lovemark
Defending champion: Scott Gutschewski
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US1 million
Challenge Tour
Abu Dhabi Challenge
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2:30pm Bailey Gill, Daniel Young, Haydn Barron
2:30pm* Jack McDonald, Albert Venter, Connor McKinney
5:40pm Žan Luka Stirn, Rashid Aljassmy, Hayden Hopewell
7pm* Tom Power Horan, Jamie Rutherford, Lee Slattery
Defending champion: Ricardo Gouveia
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: €300,000
PGA TOUR Champions
Invited Celebrity Classic
Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas
Aussies in the field: Steve Allan, Stuart Appleby, David Bransdon, Greg Chalmers, Richard Green, Mark Hensby, David McKenzie, Rod Pampling, John Senden, Michael Wright.
Defending champion: Mark Hensby
Past Aussie winners: Mark Hensby (2023)
Prize money: $US2.2 million
TV times: 11am-12:30pm Saturday; 10:30am-12pm Sunday on Fox Sports 503; Live 7am-9am Monday on Fox Sports 507 and Kayo.
PGA TOUR Americas
69th Brazil Open at Rio Olympic Golf Course
Rio Olympic Golf Course, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
7:50pm Jason Hong, Devon Bling, José de Jesús Rodríguez
Defending champion: Inaugural event
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US225,000
Growing up in South Africa playing amateur tournaments against the likes of Rory Sabbatini, Tim Clark and Darren Fichardt will show you – clearly – whether you’ve got what it takes to make it in professional golf.
Leon Trenerry was good. Good enough to turn professional and spend six years playing on the Sunshine Tour in his homeland after quitting his job with a telecommunications company.
But, deep down, he knew he wasn’t good enough to make a career purely out of playing golf.
“Eventually you’ve got to buy bread and milk,” he explains matter-of-factly.
In March, three months shy of his 49th birthday, Trenerry graduated the PGA of Australia’s Membership Pathway Program, opening the door to the career in golf he never thought possible.
Trenerry’s journey is unlike many who seek to become a PGA Professional, yet is living proof that it is never too late to pursue your passion.
After more than 10 years in the restaurant business in South Africa, Trenerry followed his sister and parents and immigrated to Australia in December 2020.
Seeking an entry point into the golf industry in Australia, he enrolled in the PGA Institute’s Diploma of Golf Management while working at Brookwater Golf and Country Club west of Brisbane.
During his studies he was encouraged to apply for the Membership Pathway Program, a program he was able to complete in two years rather than the standard three due to his prior education with the PGA.
Not only did that put a golf club back in his hands – Trenerry won the Queensland Associates Order of Merit in 2022 – but has now given him the scope to plot a career path intertwined with golf.
Currently the Assistant Professional at Oxley Golf Club in Brisbane, Trenerry hopes that his experience in and out of golf will make him a desirable candidate for management positions in future.
“I always thought maybe I’d be able to get into management or part ownership of a golf course in the future, where I can be the jack of all trades with my food and beverage background,” said Trenerry.
“I’ve managed quite substantial amounts of staff in the restaurant businesses I was involved in and obviously with having the qualification through the PGA that may be able to open up a pathway into management.”
Being an accredited PGA Professional will also provide Trenerry the opportunity to scratch the itch of playing tournament golf again.
He understands that occasionally competing against active Tour professionals on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series is unlikely to yield many victories. But he is savouring the idea of being able to enjoy the best of both worlds in what he describes as his “second chance”.
“When I gave up playing full-time golf as a 28, 29-year-old, I never thought I’d put the scorecard in the back of my pocket again, per se,” said Trenerry.
“Making a cut or top 30 amongst these youngsters would be a great result for me but the Program has given me the opportunity to be able to go do that and have a stronger financial backing than travelling around trying to make money just to get to the next tournament.
“The next step for me would be an Operations Manager role and then maybe in three or four years from now I’ll be looking for a General Manager role somewhere.
“Given the amount of people I’ve worked through my life in the restaurant business and so forth, that would be a good fit and a nice challenge for me.”
It was a Friday evening at the 1987 PLM Open in Sweden. The bus was taking the players back to the hotel and one lone golfer was taking advantage of a long Swedish summer’s light and grinding away on the practice fairway.
Noel Ratcliffe had just missed the cut by eight shots and, with some justification, we wondered what the hell he was doing. There were better times to be had in Malmo on Friday night than hitting balls on the range.
Ratcliffe was 42, and golf on the tour only gets harder over 40. But he loved playing the tour and like most at such a vulnerable age for professional golfers, he was trying desperately to hang on.
The next week we played the Benson and Hedges tournament, one of the most prestigious on the tour, in York and the most remarkable thing happened. The Sunday morning leaderboard was stacked with the big names on the European Tour including Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal, Jose Maria Canizares and Ian Baker-Finch. Ratcliffe, a shot behind Faldo and two behind the leader, Langer, went out and shot 66 to beat them all. Nine years earlier, he and Neil Coles lost a playoff to Lee Trevino, making his win part redemption and part resurrection.
‘The Rat’ died this week, aged 79, and is remembered by all who knew him as someone who truly loved playing golf. He was, fair to say, the most deliberate player on the tour, which was a high bar given fellow Sydneysider Peter Fowler was out there as well.
He was a late starter to golf but by the very early 1970s ‘Rat’ was one of the very best amateurs in the country and he represented Australia the 1972 Eisenhower Cup in Argentina alongside Tony Gresham (who won the Individual Trophy), Mike Cahill and Terry Gale. It was arguably the finest ever Australian team to play the Eisenhower and they were second behind a great American team which included Ben Crenshaw, Vinny Giles and Mark Hayes.
We are saddened to advise of the passing of Noel Ratcliffe, aged 79.
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) April 15, 2024
A two-time winner on the @DPWorldTour and eight-time winner on the @euLegendsTour, Noel was a 47-year member of the PGA of Australia.#PGAProudhttps://t.co/fCtPayYrh1
He turned pro a couple of years later after the Australian PGA changed its rules and sensibly made it easier for the best amateurs to play the tour without going through the charade of spending a year working in a pro shop before being allowed to play professionally.
In 1977, he finally won in Australia, beating David Galloway in a playoff at the South Australian Open at Royal Adelaide. The following season in Europe he beat fellow New South Welshman Chris Tickner in a playoff at the Belgium Open.
Much of his success came as a senior player in Europe where he won eight times and led the money list in 2000. Four other years he was in the top handful of players on the over-50s tour.
Rat had a beautiful long swing, one likely the main reason he played so well as he aged as his contemporaries were losing their flexibility and wondering where all their length had gone.
He was a wonderful man, a great friend and, if you asked, a source of good advice.
We’ll all miss him, even if he did add 15 minutes to all our rounds!
Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Two-time European Tour winner, Noel Ratcliffe, has passed away, aged 79.
A PGA of Australia Member of 47 years, Ratcliffe joined the Association in 1977 after an illustrious amateur career where he represented Australia in the 1972 Eisenhower Trophy alongside Terry Gale, Mike Cahill and Tony Gresham.
That team finished to an American team boasting future two-time Masters champion, Ben Crenshaw.
Ratcliffe himself would go on to forge a highly decorated career after joining the professional ranks at age 29.
Affectionately known as ‘The Rat’, Ratcliffe won 1978 Belgian Open and the 1987 Benson and Hedges International Open, when he eagled the 72nd hole for a memorable victory.
Domestically, Ratcliffe’s greatest victory came at the 1977 South Australian Open at Royal Adelaide, joining an honour roll that boasts legendary figures such as Peter Thomson, Ted Ball, Billy Dunk, Graham Marsh and Greg Norman.
Ratcliffe played The Open Championship on five occasions between 1978 and 1988, his best result coming in his final appearance at Royal Lytham and St Annes where he was tied 38th.
Upon turning 50, Ratcliffe focussed his attention to the senior circuit and had enormous success throughout Europe and Australia.
He was an eight-time winner on the European Seniors Tour, winning the Order of Merit in 2000.
He was also a prolific winner on the Australian PGA Legends Tour, including the 1995 Australian Senior Open and the 2001 and 2008 Australian PGA Senior Championships.
Photo: Phil Inglis/Getty Images
Australian Cameron Smith made it five top-10s from eight starts as Cam Davis locked up his 2025 Masters invite on an enthralling final day at Augusta National Golf Club.
World No.1 and 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler further entrenched his status as the dominant figure in men’s golf with a four-stroke triumph, fending off the brave charge of Swedish debutant Ludvig Aberg (69) with a final round of 4-under 68 and 11-under total.
Exempt through until 2027 due to his 2022 Open Championship win, Smith’s tie for sixth added to his impressive record at The Masters, a hole-out eagle from the bunker at the par-5 second the highlight of his closing round of 1-under 71.
Playing in the group behind in just his second appearance at Augusta, Davis made bogeys at one and five to effectively end his charge before making the turn, a double-bogey on 17 an unfortunate end to his round of 3-over 75.
A tie for 12th ensures Davis will be in the field for the 2025 edition as Smith continued his love affair with a golf course that plays to his creative mindset.
Renowned as one of the world’s best putters, Smith endured a frustrating week with the flatstick, joining Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood as the only players in the field not to post an over-par round all week.
“It’s just a frustrating week I think. Can’t really say much more than that,” Smith told Fox Sports.
“I hit the ball how I know I needed to and put my ball in the right spots, the putts just didn’t fall this week.
“It was very frustrating. I feel like that’s as good as I’ve played around here.
“It’s a creative golf course and I’d love to think I play my best golf when I’m creative.
“There’s so many shots that you get around here that you don’t get the rest of the year.
“It’s just such a cool place.”
ICYMI: Cam Smith is doing Cam Smith things Sunday at Augusta.#themasters pic.twitter.com/jx1XKCvzdk
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) April 14, 2024
Like Smith, Min Woo Lee eagled the par-5 second on his way to a final round of 3-under 69 and tie for 22nd, level with fellow Australian Adam Scott (72) at 4-over for the championship.
Given he came into the week nursing a broken finger, it was another step forward in Lee’s ultimate ambition of one day donning the green jacket.
“There’s a couple things I need to clean up, but overall I think it’s a solid sign,” said Lee.
“Obviously not the best prep with the finger and the flu. I guess I can kind of say that one good week of practice there I couldn’t really do, so it was a bit of rest for me.
“Hopefully I can prep better for the next one.”
“If I’m in, I’ll play for sure.”@JDayGolf has put any conjecture to bed, confirming he wants to represent the @AUSOlympicTeam at @Paris2024, writes @TonyWebeck.https://t.co/nChw613BqI
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) April 14, 2024
Declaring his desire to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics publicly for the first time, Jason Day also left Augusta with a positive mindset after a round of 3-under 69 on Sunday.
“The short game’s nice. Putting’s nice,” Day surmised.
“I just made too many cheap errors out there, not enough capitalisation on the opportunities that I had, especially with the par-5s. And then just soft bogeys.
“Clean that up, tighten the swing up a little bit, and I should be good to go.”
Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Final scores
1 Scottie Scheffler 66-72-71-68—277
T6 Cameron Smith 71-72-72-71—286
T12 Cameron Davis 69-72-73-75—289
T22 Min Woo Lee 74-74-75-69—292
T22 Adam Scott 76-74-70-72—292
T30 Jason Day 75-73-76-69—293
MC Jasper Stubbs (a) 80-76—156
