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Stolz shoots 65 to join Norris in Fiji Legends lead


Andre Stolz

Andre Stolz and Jason Norris will head into the final round of the Fiji Legends Golf Classic tied for the lead after the birdies flowed freely at Denarau Golf and Racquet Club today.

Norris followed up his 1-under-par 71 from Natadola Bay in round one with a 4-under 68 at nearby Denarau, but was caught by Stolz who produced the low round so far in the three-day PGA Legends Tour tournament, a 7-under 65.

The duo holds a two-shot advantage over Roland Baglin (73-68) and John Onions (74-67).

After a self-described “terrible” putting round on Tuesday, Stolz had a much better day out at Denarau where 20 players in the over-50s field broke par compared to just one a day earlier.

“I’m very happy with how I’m playing again,” Stolz said.

“I had a run over there in Perth and played terrible the whole time. ‘Norry’ was playing great over there and I wasn’t.

“I was really happy to sort a few things out before I came over here.

“It’ll be good fun playing with ‘Norry’ tomorrow.

“Fiji is a great place to have a holiday and play some golf but I’ve run second here the last two years and I’m sick of that.”

Norris will be looking to add the Fiji Legends Golf Classic trophy to the Fiji International title he claimed in 2017 when it was co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia, DP World Tour and Asian Tour.

“I have a soft spot with Fiji and love coming back,” Norris said.

“I think I’m going to be chasing Stolzy all day tomorrow so hopefully I can play a bit better.”

Defending champion Peter Senior will also be in the hunt on the final day, starting three back after posting a 70 today following a 72 at Natadola Bay on Tuesday.

The final round will have a shotgun start at 9am (Fiji time).

Leaderboard

-5: Andre Stolz (74-65); Jason Norris (71-68)

-3: Roland Baglin (73-68); John Onions (74-67)

-2: Peter Senior (72-70)

-1: Christopher Taylor (73-70): Mark Boulton (73-70)

Even: Marcus Cain (75-69); David Fearns (74-70); Martin Peterson (72-72)


Adam Scott’s record streak of major championship appearances could end at the hands of fellow Australian Cam Davis after the pair played out a gripping playoff at US Open Qualifying in Ohio.

Davis’s childhood idol was a Presidents Cup teammate and fourball partner less than two years ago but on what has become known as golf’s longest day, it was Scott that stood between Davis and a start at next week’s US Open at Pinehurst No.2.

Among the 64 starters vying for four spots at Springfield Country Club, Davis and Scott finished level after 36 holes at 7-under par.

But that would be just the start of the drama.

Seeking to extend his run of 91 consecutive majors dating back to the 2001 Open Championship, Scott chipped in on the first playoff hole, only to watch on as Davis converted his birdie chance from just outside 12 feet to extend the playoff to a second hole.

The pair split the second playoff hole with pars before Davis stepped up and hit his approach shot at the third playoff hole to tap-in range, Scott coming up short in his attempt to conjure a birdie of his own.

Currently ranked No.60 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Scott won’t have the opportunity to improve his ranking before the qualification cut-off on Monday, his status as first alternate now subject to the USGA’s ruling on how to treat Grayson Murray’s place in the field.

Ranked No.58 in the world at the end of the May 20 qualifying period, Murray was exempt for the US Open prior to his tragic passing two weeks ago, the USGA still to determine whether that spot will be reallocated.

It could open the door for Scott to play major number 92, a streak Davis was unaware he was potentially ending.

“I was not aware of that,” Davis told Golf Channel after playing his 39th and final hole of the day.

“I don’t think I would have tried any less… damn. It just goes to show how good a player he is. I had to hit a cracking shot to get on top of him.

“He’s been an idol of mine; it was great to play great golf against him.

“Hopefully he still finds a way in. He’s right on the bubble world-ranking wise so fingers crossed we can both be there. That would be a lot of fun.”

Finishing outside the top 35 in each of his past four starts on the PGA TOUR, Davis’s best result this year is a tie for 12th at The Masters at Augusta National.

Scheduled to play the Memorial Tournament this week, Davis was not only excited by the form he showed across more than two rounds on Monday but the prospect of playing Pinehurst for the first time.

“It’s one of those courses you have grown up seeing multiple times; you just want to get out there and see what it’s like,” said the 29-year-old from Sydney.

“Great golf here is a great stepping stone to playing great golf there.

“It’s going to be a completely different golf course – and we’ve got a completely different tournament next week which will be very different to the week after.

“I’ve got to adjust from where I’m at now for next week and then hopefully the legs are still fresh and we can turn around and play some great golf the week after.

“I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity and I’d love to take it with both hands.”

Davis was the only Australian to earn a spot through Final Qualifying on Monday with Daniel Gale (Ohio State University Golf Club), Rhein Gibson (Duke University Golf Club), Harrison Crowe (Canoe Brook Country Club), Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman, Karl Vilips (all Woodmont Country Club), Aiden Didone, Scott Hend (both The Bear’s Club), Harrison Endycott (Cherry Hill Club) and Grant Booth, Matt Jones and Wade Ormsby (all Lake Merced Golf Club) all missing out.


Cameron Smith tops the Australian challenge at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, where American Xander Schauffele recorded a course record 62 to sit 9-under with a three-shot lead over Sahith Theegala, Tony Finau and Mark Hubbard.

Signing for a 3-under 68 and share of 18th, Smith made four birdies against one bogey during the opening round, with Lucas Herbert also under par at the year’s second men’s major after a 2-under 69.

Jason Day is the next best Australian at even-par, one in front of Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, with Cam Davis rounding out the Australians on 7-over. Kiwi pair Ryan Fox and Kazuma Kobori, the reigning Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit champion, opened with 1-over and 2-over rounds respectively.

Starting his round on the 10th tee, Smith got to work early with a birdie at the long par-3 11th before making the turn in 2-under courtesy of another birdie at the par-5 18th.

The Queenslander added more birdies at the third and fourth to reach 4-under, and a spot in the top-10, before his lone bogey of the day came at the fifth after his drive found the native area.

“I actually hit the ball quite well. Probably the first 12 or 13 holes there,” Smith said.

“Kind of let go of it a little bit at the end, but everything felt really good. Managed to get a few good par saves and kind of keep the momentum going for tomorrow.”

Among those momentum maintaining pars was Smith’s going without his shoes and socks to strike his second shot at the par-5 seventh on the way to an unlikely five.

The major champion headed for the driving range followed by some rest on Thursday afternoon ahead of what could be a long tournament with rain predicted for much of the week in Kentucky.

“It’s going to be a long week. I think you know that at the start of the week anyway. It’s a major week,” he said.

“It’s always more demanding, so plenty of rest this afternoon. Maybe get a few balls, clean some stuff up and yeah, get a good sleep tonight.”

The first Australian on course, Herbert’s round got off to a rocky start when the Victorian bogeyed the par-4 10th, his opening hole of the day.

Another bogey at the 256 yard par-3 14th was an ominous sign, before an impressive fightback from the 28-year-old who made four straight birdies starting at the 15th before an even-par back nine left him tied for 32nd.

“I think everything was kind of decent, but nothing was amazing,” Herbert said.

“I think I holed out really well, holed some sort of nice five-footers, five sort of eight-footers just to keep momentum through the round.

“Obviously got off to a poor start there, but then caught that back up with four birdies. So just to keep that momentum going through the back nine and not drop any shots.”

Like Herbert, Day opened his account with a bogey in a front nine where pars were rare for the 2015 champion, who made three birdies against three bogeys to turn in even par. The Queenslander was yet another to drop a shot at the long 14th before birdie at the 18th for even-par would have made Day’s dinner taste a little sweeter.

Playing alongside Tiger Woods, Scott experienced a frustratingly consistent day where he made 17 pars, failed to make a single birdie and dropped a shot at the 14th, while Lee fought back from a 17th hole bogey with a birdie at the last to join Scott in T85.

Davis, who was without a birdie in his 78, has his work cut out in the second round to make the weekend.

Making his major championship debut, Kobori will no doubt be proud of his 73 on the game’s biggest stage, while compatriot Fox leaked oil in a bogey-bogey-double stretch from the 11th before righting the ship with birdie at the last.

The PGA Championship is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.


He expects the week to be long and rounds to be disrupted yet Australian Cameron Smith has found a positive in the heavy conditions predicted for this week’s US PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

Being played less than 30 minutes from the home of the Kentucky Derby, heavy rain early in the week, predicted thunderstorms late in Round 2 and further rain for Round 3 on has the course shaping to play as a ‘Soft 7’ rather than a ‘Good 3’.

Fresh from back-to-back LIV Golf team wins with Ripper GC in Adelaide and Singapore, Smith knows that an adjustment will have to be made.

For a player with documented struggles with the driver the past 12 months, the 30-year-old understands that soft conditions could help to avoid the thick rough that abuts Valhalla’s fairways and greens.

“The rough doesn’t seem that long but it’s just really dense. It’s quite patchy so it’s hard to say whether it’s a good or a bad thing,” Smith told the PGA of America, his best finish in the PGA Championship coming 12 months ago where was tied for ninth.

“Obviously coming off the fairways will be far easier but I think the course is going to soften up a lot and probably be easier to hit those fairways and hit those greens.

“It’s probably going to be a long week if you look at the forecast this week. I think there’s going to be a few early mornings so probably keeping it a little bit lighter at the start of the week, conserving some energy will be good.”

Smith completed just nine holes of his practice round on Tuesday before play was suspended.

Having not played when Rory McIlroy won at Valhalla in 2014, he knows any time not spent playing will be dedicated to studying.

“I’ve only managed to play the first nine so far – we’ve got a little weather here today – so I’ll see as much of the course as I can today,” Smith added.

“The course is great, it’s in great shape and it’s tough.

“I haven’t been around here yet so there’ll be a ton of study to go over the next couple of days and a ton of rest.

“Everything feels good. Game feels great. I feel like it’s just been improving this whole year basically.

“I’m pumped and ready for this week.”

Smith is off in Round 1 at 10.26pm on Thursday night AEST with Lucas Herbert the first off the Aussies in action from 9:31pm.

Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner Kazuma Kobori makes his major championship debut from 2:40am Friday morning followed by Cam Davis (3:07am), 2015 champion Jason Day (3:18am) and Min Woo Lee (3:29am).

There are eight Aussies competing in the Mizuho Americas Open on the LPGA Tour while Gold Coast amateur Grace Williams will make her Epson Tour debut in Utah.

A recent graduate of Utah Tech University, Williams was granted a tournament invite to pit her game against those on the verge of playing the LPGA Tour.

“Being able to compete this week is unbelievably exciting,” said Williams, who joins fellow Aussies Cassie Porter and Su Oh in the Copper Rock Championship field.

“Having the opportunity compete and test my game against the pros is something I have been looking forward to all year.

“I believe that college golf in Utah has allowed my course management skill to evolve, as well just being able to play numerous different shots, especially when the weather changes so quickly out here in the desert!

“You really just need to be prepared for everything.”

Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images

Round 1 tee times AEST

US PGA Championship
Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky
Round 1
9:31pm*          Lucas Herbert
9:37pm            Ryan Fox (NZ)
10:04pm*         Adam Scott
10:26pm*         Cameron Smith
2:40am*           Kazuma Kobori (NZ)
3:07am             Cam Davis
3:18am             Jason Day
3:29am             Min Woo Lee

Round 2
9:15pm            Kazuma Kobori (NZ)
9:42pm*          Cam Davis
9:53pm*          Jason Day
10:04pm*         Min Woo Lee
2:56am            Lucas Herbert
3:02am*           Ryan Fox (NZ)
3:29am            Adam Scott
3:51am            Cameron Smith

Defending champion: Brooks Koepka
Past Aussie winners: Jim Ferrier (1947), David Graham (1979), Wayne Grady (1990), Steve Elkington (1995), Jason Day (2015)
Prize money: $17.5 million
TV times: Live 9pm-10am Thursday, Friday; Live 3am-9am Sunday, Monday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo.

LPGA Tour
Mizuho Americas Open
Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, New Jersey
9pm                 Karis Davidson
9:33pm*          Sarah Kemp
9:55pm*          Lydia Ko (NZ)
10:06pm          Gabriela Ruffels
10:17pm          Hannah Green
2:05am*           Stephanie Kyriacou
3am*               Grace Kim
3:11am            Minjee Lee
3:44pm            Robyn Choi

Defending champion: Rose Zhang
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $3 million
TV times: Live 5am-8am Friday on Fox Sports 506; Live 5am-8am Saturday, Sunday, Monday on Fox Sports 507 and Kayo.

Japan Golf Tour
Kansai Open Golf Championship
Meishin Yokaichi Country Club, Shiga
8:20am            Anthony Quayle
1:30pm            Brad Kennedy
1:40pm*          Michael Hendry (NZ)

Defending champion: Yasuka Hanamigawa
Past Aussie winners: Brad Kennedy (2013)
Prize money: ¥80,000,000

Korn Ferry Tour
AdventHealth Championship
Blue Hills Country Club, Kansas City, Missouri
9:56pm*          Dimi Papadatos
10:07pm*         Rhein Gibson
10:18pm*         Steven Bowditch
10:29pm          Brett Drewitt
5:22am            Charlie Hillier (NZ)

Defending champion: Grayson Murray
Past Aussie winners:
Prize money: $1 million

Ladies European Tour
Amundi German Masters
Golf and Country Club Seddiner See, Berlin, Germany
5:54pm*          Momoka Kobori (NZ)
10:12pm*         Amy Walsh
10:45pm*         Kirsten Rudgeley

Defending champion: Kristyna Napoleaova
Past Aussie winners: Karrie Webb (2013)
Prize money: €300,000
TV times: Live 7pm-10pm Thursday, Friday; Live 8:45pm-11pm Saturday on Fox Sports 505; Live 8pm-11pm Sunday on Fox Sports 507 and Kayo.

PGA TOUR Americas
Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship
Club El Rincón de Cajicá, Bogotá, Colombia
9:50pm            Harry Hillier (NZ)
3:20am            Jason Hong

Defending champion: Inaugural event
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $225,000

Epson Tour
Copper Rock Championship
Copper Rock Golf Course, Hurricane, Utah
11:30pm*         Amelia Garvey (NZ)
4:31am*           Grace Williams (a)
5:04am            Fiona Xu (NZ)
5:15am*           Cassie Porter
5:59am*           Su Oh

Defending champion: Savannah Vilaubi
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $250,000


New South Welshman Alex Edge denied Ash Hall a steak dinner by extending his lead at the Tasmanian Open at Launceston Golf Club.

The second year that the Tasmanian Open has returned to the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series schedule, Edge backed up his 4-under 68 from day one with a 2-under 70 on Saturday, enough to double his lead to two strokes.

Hall delivered the round of the tournament to date – 6-under 66 – to join a logjam in second place at 4-under with Mark Panopolous (67), Kyle Michel (70) and Tim Hart (70) heading into Sunday’s third and final round.

Edge remains the man to beat, though, who overcame the disappointment of his beloved Parramatta Eels going down on Friday night to hold his position as outright leader.

Square with the card after two birdies and two bogeys in his opening seven holes, Edge showed admirable patience on the tight Launceston layout.

After a run of seven straight pars he moved to 1-under on his round with a birdie at the par-5 15th, adding a second two holes later to lead the way at 6-under par.

“Just tried to do similar to yesterday by keeping it in play,” said Edge.

“I found myself in a few awkward positions at times so I had to take my medicine and not compound any mistakes.

“I started getting a few looks when I had wedges in my hand to make some birdies and it was fine.

“This place is not all about power. You can be creative and I think that as long as I’m doing that and chip and putt nicely, then it’ll make it harder for them to get me.”

After a practice round together at Barnbougle Dunes in the days leading up to the tournament, Hall had promised himself a steak dinner on Saturday night if he’d reined Edge in.

That will now have to wait at least 24 hours despite a round that boasted nine birdies.

“I was 2-over through three, so it was good from there. Very good from there,” said Hall.

“I even dropped one on the par-5 10th as well.

“It was a bit of an in-joke. I wanted to get to the lead then we’ll go out to a nice steak restaurant.

“But if ‘Edgey’ is two in front, then no steak for me tonight.

“He is in good form though, I must admit.

“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, play aggressive tomorrow and see what happens.”

In the Women’s Tasmanian Open, Jorjah Bailey has moved two strokes clear at her home club thanks to a brilliant back nine in her second round of 1-under 71.

Trailing South Australian Matilda Miels by four after day one, Bailey unleashed a birdie barrage in Round 2 to move two strokes clear.

Starting from the 10th tee, Bailey had three bogeys on the trot early in her round but a birdie at the par-5 15th was a taste of what was to come.

Her second birdie of the day came at the par-5 second, the first of six in a front nine of 5-under 31 and 1-under 71 total.

At 1-over par she leads Rebecca Zhao (75) by two with Miels (78) a further shot back in outright third.

“I got a bit unlucky I’d say on my first nine,” said Bailey.

“Hit into a few trees, had a three-putt, few bunkers, but really turned it around on the front, which was really nice to see.

“I chipped in on the seventh for birdie and then I pitched two close ones up on eight and nine to really seal it with three in a row.”

Playing on her home course, Bailey admitted that there will be an extra sense of expectation in trying to close out the win in front of members and family.

“I’d say there’s a lot of pressure being at your own course,” said Bailey.

“Hitting it really well, striking it well. It all came together on that last nine so hopefully can keep doing it tomorrow.”

Saturday also saw the opening round of the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship with Coffs Harbour’s Cameron Pollard establishing a 11-shot lead with a round of 4-over 76 from Brett Misso and Rod Welsh.

The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania


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


After a two-and-a-half hour rain delay, Bryson DeChambeau leads the 88th Masters Tournament by one from Scottie Scheffler, with Cameron Davis the best of the Aussie contingent, while 27 players will complete their opening rounds on Friday.

“I’m very happy with the way I plotted my way around this place. I got the ball in the hole well, and yeah, walking off with a sub-70 round today feels like a big win,” Davis, who is 3-under and in share of sixth, said.

The rain that halted the start did not reappear, however, strong winds of 20-30 kmh whipped across Augusta National from the south-west, particularly as DeChambeau signed off on his 7-under 65.

Cameron Smith six back of the American after a 1-under 71, while Jason Day sits even after 13 holes with Adam Scott 1-overand a hole in front of his fellow Queenslander and Min Woo Lee opening with 74 (+2). Amateur Jasper Stubbs rounds out the Australians after an 80 (+8) on major debut.

Starting and finishing with three consecutive birdies, DeChambeau’s lone bogey of the day came at the 10th, while Scheffler looked ominous during a bogey-free 66.

Having made the turn in 3-under, the dogleg left 10th, like DeChambeau, was where Davis dropped his first shot of the day after a heavily struck greenside bunker shot from the 29-year-old.

Davis recording a second consecutive bogey at the 11th before he righted the ship with birdie at the par-5 13th, a feat he repeated at the 15th when a ripped long iron second shot barely hung on the front edge of the green.

Another birdie went begging at the par-3 16th for Davis when his three-metre putt slid by the right edge. The New South Welshman solidly holed two short par putts at 17 and 18 to sign for 69.

“I’m not even paying attention to the leaderboard right now,” Davis said.

“These are the sort of conditions where if you get nine holes where there’s not much and you can go and score, that’s great.

“I might not have that same opportunity, so I’m just really honestly going one shot, one hole at a time. It’s cliche, but it’s the only way to really play a golf course like this.”

Cameron Smith opened with a 1-under 71, where he overcame a double bogey at the 12th. PHOTO: The Masters.

Having entered the week slightly underprepared following food poisoning, Smith found himself in the top-10 early before the short par-3 12th, where the 30-year-old walked away with a double bogey five.

Clearing the water with his tee shot, Smith watched on as his ball trickled back into Rae’s Creek and with it the two shots he’d gained against par with birdies at the second and sixth.

The 2022 Open champion getting back into red figures at the par-5 15th, where he found the green in two and lagged his eagle putt to tap-in range. The Queenslander happy with the state of his game after three closing pars and 71.

“Honestly, it felt really good today,” Smith said.

“Not too much to complain about. I think like that shot on 12, obviously, is a poor one, but like I said, you’re going to get those around here. Probably a couple of putts that could have gone in.”

Playing alongside Tiger Woods, who is 1-underthrough 13 holes, Day experienced an up and down day after a promising birdie at the third had him under par early.

Finding the trees long and right of the par-3 fourth, Day took double-bogey and compounded the mistake with another dropped shot at the sixth. The Queenslander fought back with birdie at eight, before adding another at the 10th when his long putt poured in the front edge.

Day, who is tied for 32nd, nearly getting back under par before darkness stopped play when his chip from left of the 12th green came up a roll short of the centre of the cup.

Whereas Day’s front nine twisted and turned, it was a lesson in patience early for Scott.

The 2013 Masters champion made seven straight pars to start, with his wedge play and putter doing much of the work. The flatstick provided an early highlight when the Queenslander rolled in a long, curling left to right putt at the second.

A first birdie came at the par-5 8th after a long iron from the pine straw found the green, before he dropped his first shot of the day at the 11th.

Failing to find the green from the back bunker at 12, Scott lost another shot and sits at 1-over with five holesto play.

Entering the week with a broken finger from a recent gym incident, Lee proudly spoke of his fight back with birdie at eight, after four bogeys in his first six holes.

“I am actually pretty proud of the way I went out there,” Lee told Fox Sports.

“When I made those four early bogeys, I wanted to walk off the course and it felt embarrassing. I guess it caught me off guard.”

Lee coming to life at Amen Corner with a tee shot over the flag that backed up to three feet on 12 followed by a “special” eagle at the par-5 13th. The 25-year-old giving two shots to par back at the 14th and 16th.

Understandably nervous making his first major start, Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner Jasper Stubbs made an impressive up and down par from 90 metres to open his Masters account.

“I was pretty nervous walking on to the tee of No.1. But yeah, it wasn’t as bad as I was kind of expecting,” Stubbs said.

The Victorian banking a first birdie at the par-5 2nd and making the turn in one-over, before the 22-year-old was buffeted by the wind and Augusta’s back nine.

A slightly thinned second on the par-5 15th lead to what Stubbs called a “pretty easy seven”, which preceded a hat-trick of fives for 8-over and work to do to make the weekend.

“That’s the plan, learn something from today and try and come out tomorrow, and I’ll do my best to still make the cut, but yeah, we’ll just try and have as low a round as we can tomorrow,” Stubbs said.

Play was officially suspended 7:51pm local time (9:51am AEST) with those still to finish their first round back on course at 7:50am (9:50pm AEST) and the second round getting underway at 8am (10pm AEST).

The Masters is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo, as well as 9GemHD and 9Now.


Victorian Kyle Michel defied heavy winds that caused leaderboard chaos to build a five-shot lead as the Order of Merit tussle intensified at The National Tournament presented by BMW.

On the back of five-straight birdies to finish at 8-under in Round 1, Michel continued his exemplary ball-striking in winds that gusted as high as 50km/h and which sent balls flying in all manner of directions in Round 2 at The National Golf Club.

Michel himself had to two-putt down three tiers from 100 feet after his 3-iron from 200 metres at the par-4 14th – the hardest hole on the Moonah Course on Friday – sailed onto the adjoining sixth green, making a 12-footer for his self-proclaimed best par of the day in a round of 5-under 67.

Remarkably, on a day in which the course played 2.39 strokes over its par, Michel went bogey free, his lone dropped shot through 36 holes coming courtesy of a three-putt at the par-3 13th in Round 1.

Not only that, the Shepparton product has only one score of five – and nothing higher – through two rounds, playing the par 5s in 7-under to sit five strokes clear of Cameron John (70) and Nathan Barbieri (68) at 13-under par.

To put that in perspective, there were 35 scores of double-bogey or worse on the back nine alone on Friday, the inward nine playing 2.35 shots over its par.

Michel’s closest challengers both have additional motivation in the final event of the season.

Barbieri is projected to move from 63rd to 35th on the Order of Merit, a move that would ensure he retains full status for next season while John would move inside the top 10 with victory on Sunday.

The battle for the final two DP World Tour cards will also go down to the wire, Brett Coletta (74), Daniel Gale (70) and Matt Griffin (72) all inside the top 15 at the halfway mark.

With the outward holes playing downwind, Michel made sure to cash in on birdies at the two early par 5s, adding another at the 374-metre par-4 10th that some players were reaching, such was the strength of the wind.

He couldn’t reach either 12 or 15 in two yet converted chances from just outside 10 feet to pick up two more birdies, holding on across the brutal finish to lead by five heading into the weekend.

“It’s not really a strategy, when it’s this windy around here you need to take advantage of the par 5s,” said Michel, who is projected to move from 38th to eighth on the Order of Merit with a breakthrough win.

“Growing up and playing a lot of tournaments down here and along the (Mornington) Peninsula, it is like a heavier wind down here.

“You just have to trust it and just accept that some shots are going to get taken by the wind and some aren’t.”

Like Michel, John is chasing a maiden Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia title and a boost to his Order of Merit standing.

In order to unlock the unquestioned potential he possesses, John has begun working with one of Australia’s leading coaches Denis McDade, and is channelling the spirit of his star pupil, Marc Leishman.

“I’ve been quite a rigid, stiff player for a long time so trying to change the mindset and it seems to be working so far,” said John.

“The last couple of days I’ve probably felt more like ‘Leish’ than I ever have.

“It’s so windy so you’re chipping a lot and it’s probably good for what we’re working on.

“Being in such brutal conditions, if you get stiff out there the fairway gets a lot smaller.”

There is a three-stroke gap from John and Barbieri to a trio of players at 5-under, Queensland amateur Quinn Croker (70), Matias Sanchez (73) and Griffin eight shots off the lead.

A total of 54 players made the cut which fell at 3-over, Order of Merit winner Kazuma Kobori (73) squeezing into the weekend on the number.

The final two rounds of The National Tournament will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, through Foxtel and Kayo, on Saturday and Sunday.


A putter change on Tuesday has helped Victorian Kyle Michel to take a two-stroke lead after day one of The National Tournament presented by BMW at The National Golf Club.

Four-under through seven holes and playing in the fifth-to-last group, Michel fell to 3-under on his round with a three-putt bogey at the par-3 13th.

But from that point the Odyssey 2-Ball putter that he put in play two days ago caught fire, peeling off five straight birdies to finish for a round of 8-under 64.

That puts Michel two clear of a trio of players, fellow Victorians Matias Sanchez and Cameron John and Kiwi rookie Rhys Thomas all posting rounds of 6-under 66 at The National’s Moonah Course.

Michel’s 64 is just one shy of the course record set by Elvis Smylie 12 months ago, the Shepparton product holing putts from 35 feet, 10 feet and 40 feet in a final three-hole flurry.

“I wanted to make a change because I was using a counter-balance putter which is a bit longer and a bit heavier and I just felt like I wanted a shorter putter in the bag to feel the stroke a little bit more,” said Michel.

“Amazing what happens. Put a new putter in the bag and it gets hot. The new putter syndrome.

“Had a first putt with it on Tuesday and it’s been working so far.”

As Michel set the pace up front, an absorbing Order of Merit developed behind him.

Matthew Griffin enhanced his chances of claiming one of the two remaining DP World Tour cards up for grabs with a 5-under 67, Brett Coletta matching his score playing in the same group to solidify his current position of second on the Order of Merit.

Third-placed Daniel Gale is somewhat vulnerable after opening with a 2-under 70 to sit in a tie for 21st, the trio to play together again in Round 2 on Friday.

“I know they’re both playing great golf and I potentially need to win to change things,” conceded Griffin, who played the final four holes in 2-under.

“Everyone’s playing well and that showed today with the good scores.”

Thomas would need to win to avoid a return to Qualifying School next month, picking the perfect time to compile his best round of the season.

The 20-year-old Kiwi defied a formline that reads just one made cut in 12 starts this season to shoot 6-under in blustery conditions, his round highlighted by a five-hole stretch where he made four birdies and an eagle.

On a day in which the 447-metre par-4 16th played to an average of 4.47, Thomas made one of only five birdies there all day, a hole Sanchez described as “the hardest hole in Australia”.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Thomas conceded.

“I always knew it was coming, just didn’t really know when.”

Currently 21st on the Order of Merit, Sanchez began his tournament in the best possible fashion, a run of three straight birdies sparked by holing a 15-footer at the first.

Boasting two top-five finishes this season, Sanchez’s main focus remains a breakthrough win.

“You play good, good things happen,” said Sanchez, who hit the flag on the first bounce with 5-iron from 184 metres as he made birdie at the par-4 14th.

“Obviously the goal, like every other week, is to win. Just because I haven’t done it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

“I understand that if I play well, good things will happen, but you don’t really think about that when you’re out there.”

Like Michel, John’s round was fuelled, in part, by a putter change on Tuesday.

Frustrated at what he felt were good putts not finding the bottom of the cup, John switched out his Scotty Cameron GOLO for an Odyssey that delivered eight birdies on day one.

“I changed putter at the start of the week, which isn’t normal for me,” said John.

“I haven’t used an Odyssey for about three years I reckon but it just felt good and I’m trying to speed up the routine a little bit. Get in, get comfortable and pull the trigger.

“It’s very similar to my old putter but today it just worked.”

Further down the Order of Merit, the opportunity to earn full playing rights for next season by finishing inside the top 50 is driving many.

New South Welshman Nathan Barbieri is projected to move up from 65th to 56th after an opening round of 4-under 68 to be in a share of eighth and is well aware of what is at stake.

“Obviously I haven’t had the best season, which is annoying in a way,” said Barbieri.

“I’m on the way back up. I can definitely feel it in my game and today I played really solid.

“I know I have to play well this week but the objective, as always, is to win.”

Future Tour Order of Merit leader Quinn Croker impressed again with a 3-under 69 in Round 1, matched by fellow amateur and Queensland PGA champion Phoenix Campbell.

The final two rounds of The National Tournament will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, through Foxtel and Kayo, on Saturday and Sunday.


‘Mathematically possible.’
It has become the calling card of the all-but defeated.
It suggests hope in the face of odds stacked heavily against a team or an athlete.

Coming into this week’s finale of the 2023/2024 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season, Victorian Ben Eccles knows that, for all of the possible mathematical permutations, the equation is relatively simple.

Win, and hope for the best.

Currently seventh on the Order of Merit, Eccles (pictured) is the last player for whom a DP World Tour is still a possibility.

Kiwi Kazuma Kobori has safely secured the No.1 spot with an unassailable lead from Vic Open winner Brett Coletta (599.76) with two-time winner this season, Daniel Gale (539.84), holding down third spot.

This week’s winner will be awarded 190 Order of Merit points, meaning that third spot is still within reach for Eccles (358.35), Jak Carter (360.60) and David Micheluzzi (372.64).

Matthew Griffin (494.69) can finish as high as second if he were to win across The National’s Moonah Course on Sunday but, as Eccles highlights, the reality of the situation tells a far different story than pure numbers.

“Yes, mathematically it can happen. Realistically, it’s probably not going to happen,” Eccles reasoned.

“‘Galey’ and ‘Micha’ are good players and I can’t see them missing the cut.”

On the surface, it is a disappointing position that Eccles finds himself in.

Winner of the WA PGA at Kalgoorlie – his first win in eight years – Eccles was also runner-up to Micheluzzi at the Vic PGA.

He held a spot in the top three for much of the season but missed cuts at both the Australian Open and New Zealand Open, tournaments with maximum points up for grabs.

Needing a calculator heading into the final event is not where Eccles hoped to be, but is so far from where he was this time last year.

Twelve months ago, Eccles was one of those players teeing it up aware they would not keep their card for the following season. It necessitated a return to Qualifying School and a shift in mindset under coach Grant Field that has delivered results well beyond expectations.

“Twelve months ago was an interesting position,” Eccles added.

“I came into this event knowing I wasn’t going to keep my card and had to go back to Q School. I wasn’t sure where I would be; financially I was in a bit of a tough position, honestly.

“Twelve months on, I’ve got two years exempt and I’ve nearly won twice. It’s totally different. I feel like I’m almost a different person.

“The progress and what I’ve learnt about myself and what I want to do and how I want to do it has just been awesome.

“I’m looking forward to the second half of 2024 and what that looks like and then into next year’s season.”

While Eccles can look forward with optimism, there are others for whom this week is the most important event of the summer.

Darcy Brereton (48th), Blake Proverbs (49th) and Jarryd Felton (50th) currently sit on the inside of the top 50 who keep their status for next season, Jack Munro (52nd), Jason Norris (53rd) and Kit Bittle (55th) all at The National to try and play their way in.

Adding to the intrigue is that, for the first two days at least, Coletta (second), Gale (third) and Griffin (fourth) will play together, fighting it out for the two remaining DP World Tour cards.

At the tournament welcome function on Tuesday night, Griffin recalled being paired with his two nearest rivals in the final event of the season as he tried to keep his card on the Asian Tour.

“I like this scenario much better,” he said.

First tee time is 7:45am AEDT Thursday morning with the final two rounds to be broadcast live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo, on Saturday and Sunday.

Distribution of Order of Merit points for top 10 at The National Tournament
1. 190
2. 107
3. 71
4. 51
5. 42
6. 38
7. 34
8. 31
9. 28.40
10. 26.20


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