Kenny claims late win at Blackheath

Grant Kenny has won the ICF Haulage Legends Pro-Am at Blackheath Golf Club with a round of 3-under 66.

Kenny was one of 58 senior professionals teeing it up in the Ladbrokes Legends Tour event held in the Blue Mountains where warm but windy conditions greeted players.

Neil Sarkies posted the best score of the morning with a 1-under 68 in only his second outing as a senior professional.

After starting his round on the 18^th Sarkies opened and closed his round with bogeys but a strong front nine of 32 saw him gain the clubhouse lead.

It looked like Sarkies’ morning 68 would hold but one of the last cards in belonged to Grant Kenny.

Kenny’s back nine of 3-under 31 was equal best of the day and included a bogey at the par-4 11^th hole.

Kenny credited his accurate driving and a hot putter for the win but also praised the well manicured greens of Blackheath Golf Club.

Neil Sarkies claimed second place while Shaquill Mongol finished in third place at even par 69.

A member of Australia’s inaugural Women’s PGA Cup team also featured in the field. Gillian Rae posted a 7-over total to tie for 26^th place. Gillian travels to Austin, Texas later this month for the first-of-its-kind tournament.

Baker-Finch, 59, filled the role with aplomb in Rio in 2016 when golf returned to the Olympic family for the first time in 112 years.

Legendary Ian Baker-Finch will again captain the Australian Olympic golf team.

Baker-Finch, 59, filled the role with aplomb in Rio in 2016 when golf returned to the Olympic family for the first time in 112 years.

His experience as leader of both the men’s and women’s teams was crucial as Australia came within touching distance of the medals in both competitions.

Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt was excited that Baker-Finch had again accepted the role.

“Everybody in Australian golf knows exactly how committed Ian is to the nation and its athletes,” Pitt said.

“That someone held in such high international regard is so eager to ensure our athletes have a first-class Olympic experience is fantastic for all involved.

“He will be an integral part of the team’s success not only during his time in Tokyo, but also in the preparation phase.”

Baker-Finch, the Open champion in 1991 at Royal Birkdale, was honoured to be approached to fill the role again.

“Representing your country at the Olympics is not only a huge honour, but I believe the pinnacle of world sport,” he said.

“In talking to our potential representatives, I know they’re all incredibly excited to have the chance to be considered to come to Tokyo in the green and gold.

“Last time we had Minjee Lee, Su Oh, Marcus Fraser and Scott Hend – and I know they all had the experience of a lifetime.”

“We can’t wait to see who’ll get the chance next year, but I’m sure they’ll all do the country proud.”

Chef de Mission of the Tokyo 2020 Australian Olympic team, Ian Chesterman, is delighted Baker-Finch will return to lead the Tokyo 2020 golf team.

“I am absolutely delighted to have Ian in this role of team captain. His leadership was greatly valued in Rio 2016 and I know the Australian Olympic team will once again benefit from having someone of Ian’s calibre and commitment as part of the team”.

Baker-Finch was delighted to also have multiple Ladies European Tour winner Stacey Peters as his women’s team deputy and Golf Australia high performance general manager Brad James on the men’s side.

Based on current Olympic rankings, Australia will qualify to send two male and two female athletes to compete at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in July and August next year.

Should there be more than two Australian athletes ranked inside the top 15 of their respective Olympic rankings at the 2020 cut-off date – 22 June for men, and 29 June for women – that number (up to a maximum of four) will be eligible.

Golf Australia will nominate a team to the Australian Olympic Committee on 2 July with a final team selection announced shortly afterwards.

Richard Gilkey has fired a standout round of 5-under 65 at Wynnum Golf Club to sit at the top of the leaderboard following round one of the Bartons/BMD QLD Senior PGA Championship on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour.

Having played in both the US Senior PGA Championship and the US Senior Open earlier this year, the American was at the top of his game amongst a highly-talented field featuring Rodger Davis, Richard Backwell, Peter Senior and Michael Harwood.

Gilkey’s bogey-free round of five birdies sees him take a one-shot lead into the second round ahead of Darryl Purchase in second at 4-under the card.

“The Legends Tour here in Australia fits perfect into my yearly calendar of events and in addition to playing ok, it is nice to be playing a good series of events,” said Gilkey

“I have been battling illness over the last couple of weeks though you know what they say, beware of the sick golfer.”

Davis, a previous winner of the QLD Senior PGA Championship, holds third place alongside formidable forces in Richard Backwell, Peter Senior, Nigel Lane and America’s Shaquill Mongol at 3-under 67.

The final round of the Bartons/BMD QLD Senior PGA Championship tees off at 11am for a shotgun start at Wynnum Golf Club.

A week out from Easter and Australian golf has thrown all its eggs into four baskets, and each one of them is overflowing with possibility.

When The Masters welcomes the 2019 season of majors to Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday night, Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith will carry the hopes of a nation.

It is a select few but due to Scott’s heroics in 2013 they are not burdened by an 80-year wait that hung over the likes of Greg Norman, Bruce Crampton, Jack Newton and all other Australians invited to make the scenic drive up Magnolia Lanee since Jim Ferrier first played the tournament as an amateur in 1940.

But while the odds of a second Australian victory may stand at 4-in-87 prior to Thursday’s opening round, a closer inspection shows that our chances are indeed much better than that.

Every Australian playing The Masters this week is a genuine chance of wearing the coveted green jacket come Sunday; here we break down why 2019 could very well be their year.

The PGA have today announced Scott Stallings and Brendon de Jonge as inclusions for the upcoming Australian PGA Championship.

In what promises to produce a week of outstanding competition, Stallings and de Jonge add to a strong international field contending for the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

Stallings, a three time PGA TOUR winner, had his most recent success at the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open in January.

Stallings finished one shot clear of Aussies Jason Day and Marc Leishman to claim victory in a stunning performance that saw him shoot seven birdies in the final round, including one on the 18th.

The win catapulted Stallings from 166th to 10th in the FedExCup rankings.

“Aussies love their golf and it’s a great opportunity to play one of Australia’s oldest tournaments,” said Stallings.

“To win would be incredible.”

Stallings best Major finish was in 2012 where he tied for 27th at the US Masters.

At the age of 12, Stallings quit playing other sports to focus on golf after watching Tiger Woods dominate the field at the 1997 US Masters.

Also accompanying Stallings at this years Championship will be Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge.

Ranked at 79, de Jonge, a 2013 Presidents Cup debutant, had two top-10 finishes in 2014 on the PGA TOUR, made 24 (of 31) Tour cuts and secured over US$1 million in prize money.

“I’ve heard great things about playing on the Gold Coast and I’m looking forward to playing the Australian PGA Championship.” said de Jonge.

Earlier this year, de Jonge, shot a second round 62 at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club to equal the course record, which he now jointly holds with Rory McIlroy.

“PGA TOUR winners always excite Australian golf fans,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia.

“The inclusion of Stallings and de Jonge adds depth to our field of international talent.”

This will be the first time both de Jonge and Stallings have played the Australian PGA Championship.

De Jonge and Stallings join US crowd favourite and three time PGA TOUR winner, Boo Weekley, along with defending champion and World Number 2, Adam Scott.

John Senden, Steven Bowditch, Marc Leishman and Brendan Jones will also feature alongside former Championship winners, Robert Allenby, Greg Chalmers, Peter Lonard and Daniel Popovic.

The Australian PGA Championship is the final tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia Order of Merit calendars.

Tickets for the 2014 Australian PGA Championship are on sale at www.ticketek.com.au with children 16 years and under admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Members of RACV, RACQ, NRMA, RAASA, RACWA, RACT, RANT and NZAA will receive a 50 per cent discount off the standard PGA gate price when they show their membership card during Championship week.

Visit the Australian PGA Championship website at www.pgachampionship.com.au for further details.

The 2014 Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th December.

The tournament is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Tourism, RACV Royal Pines Resort, RACV, Emirates, Coca-Cola Amatil, Stella Artois, Amadio Wine, TAG Heuer, APN Outdoor and Srixon and will be broadcast domestically by the Seven Network.

The Championship is managed by the PGA with the assistance of TRP Sports.

Click here to view the full 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule.

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