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Playing partners Kyle Michel and Cameron John shared top spot in the Belle Property Bulimba Pro-Am in Brisbane today, mastering the par-3 layout with matching rounds of 5-under-par 49.
Always a great test of a player’s wedge game, Bulimba’s nine holes range in distance from 83m to 102m, providing a challenge with a difference in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series.
The winner of The National Tournament on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia earlier this year, John now has three pro-am titles on his 2024 list of achievements.
Michel, who is heading for a stint on the Asian Development Tour, has two victories this year to go with six other top-three adidas PGA Pro-Am Series finishes.
Third placegetter Aiden Didone aced the 90m fifth in his round of -4.
HOW THE WINNERS’ ROUNDS UNFOLDED
Starting on the eighth hole, Michel grabbed the outright lead with three birdies in his first four holes. He then picked up shots both times he played the fifth.
The duo’s only bogey for the day came when John dropped a shot at their 92m opener, but he made six birdies from then on, including on their 17th hole of the day – the sixth – to draw level with his playing partner.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
Michel: “I got off to a hot start by hitting a few close and rolling in some putts. Missed a few greens coming but managed to keep it bogey-free. This event is a little bit different, a bit of fun and nice to get a round out of the way in less than three hours.”
John: “When Kyle made the good start, birdie-birdie, I thought “well he’s going to play well so I have to try and follow his lead. He kept going well and I just made a few at the end which was nice. This is one of the better pro-ams we get to play. It’s a quick format and it’s a lot of fun. You have to be really dialled in with the wedges.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
-5: Cameron John (Vic), Kyle Michel (Vic)
-4: Aiden Didone (Vic)
-3: Jack Munro (Qld), Jay Simpson (Qld), Nathan Barbieri (NSW), Gavin Fairfax (Qld)
-2: Dillon Hart (Qld), Jay Mackenzie (NSW), Brady Watt (WA),
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series returns to the Gold Coast for the Southport Pro-Am on Friday.
Two Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia regulars showed their class to share top spot at today’s Panasonic Air Conditioning Burleigh Pro-Am.
Sam Brazel and Jake McLeod negotiated the Gold Coast layout in 4-under-par 67 in gusty winds to finish one ahead of Cameron John on an adidas Pro-Am Series leaderboard laden with Tour talent.
For McLeod, it was his second joint title for July, joining his win with Jack Murdoch and Will Florimo at Windaroo Lakes.
The experienced Brazel’s last adidas PGA Pro-Am Series victory came last year in Mackay with Burleigh making it 12 overall for the former Hong Kong Open champion on the pro-am circuit.
It was nice confidence boost for the NSW pro ahead of some bigger events to come. He’s off to the US$2,000,000 International Series England event at Close House in Newcastle, starting August 17, before concentrating on Asian events.
HOW THE WINNERS’ ROUNDS UNFOLDED
McLeod started his round on the 11th hole and moved quickly to 2-under with birdies on the 14th and 15th. His only bogey for the day came on the par-4 16th. He then picked up shots on both par-5s on the front nine.
Brazel’s round was highlighted by a run of four birdies in five holes on the back nine before he almost undid his good work with a double-bogey on the par-4 16th. A birdie on his second last hole, the par-5 first, gave him a share of top spot.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
McLeod: “I hit it nicely again today which was good. I played the par-5s pretty well and holed a few putts today. It was all pretty stress-free really. You have to hit fairways around here because it’s super tight.”
Brazel: “It’s my first time in a long time around here. I tried to keep it on the short stuff which always helps. I had a great group so it was a fun day.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
67: Jake McLeod (Qld), Sam Brazel (NSW)
68: Cameron John (Vic)
69: Darcy Brereton (Vic), Aiden Didone (Vic), Deyen Lawson (WA), Michael Sim (Qld)
70: Ed Donoghue (Vic), Kade McBride (Qld), Brady Watt (WA), Matt Dowling (Qld), Tom Robinson (Eng), Bailey Arnott (Qld), Tim Hart (Qld), Lucas Higgins (NSW)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series heads back to Brisbane for the Belle Property Bulimba Pro-Am on Thursday then it’s a return to the Gold Coast for the Southport Pro-Am on Friday.
Brett Rankin defied some of the toughest conditions of the year in the adidas PGA Pro-Am series to go back-to-back at the Brisbane River Golf Club Pro-Am today.
The Queenslander’s 1-under-par 65 was the only round of par or better on a day dominated by strong westerly winds that wrecked many of his rivals’ scorecards.
West Australian Deyen Lawson took runner-up honours at 1-over, with Ed Donoghue (Vic), Jay Mackenzie (NSW), Kyle Michel (Vic) and Brady Watt (WA) a further shot back.
Rankin’s victory was his third for 2024.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
The 2023 winner started his round with a bogey on the par-4 second but soon bounced back with an eagle on the dogleg 314m par-4 fourth after deciding to go with a driver off the tee following a pre-round inspection of the hole on Google Earth.
“I just pumped a driver over the fence and the trees and houses,” he said. “I hit it exactly where I wanted but it was still a bit of guesswork to be honest.
“I thought it’d be near the green somewhere but walking down the fairway Jay Mackenzie, one of playing partners, told me I’d hit it to 12 feet.
“It was a good way to bounce back from a bogey.”
Birdies at the 11th and 13th moved Rankin to -3 before he handed back his last shot of the day at the short par-4 17th.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“The key to playing well here is just embracing the quirkiness of the golf course,” Rankin said.
“Embracing that it’s going to quite difficult and it’s going to throw some challenges at you.
“I feel like I can play difficult conditions quite well. I can be patient golfer and I like to plot my way around the course.
“I’m very happy to shoot under par. I said to my mates before the round that you could potentially see someone shoot even-par or over par win this.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
65: Brett Rankin (Qld)
67: Deyen Lawson (WA)
68: Ed Donoghue (Vic), Jay Mackenzie (NSW), James Mee (Qld), Kyle Michel (Vic)
69: Toby Walker (Vic), Brady Watt (WA)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series heads to the Gold Coast for the Panasonic Air Conditioning Burleigh Pro-Am on Tuesday
West Australian Scott Barr conquered strong westerly winds and a field that included a couple of notable PGA Legends Tour debutants to win the Paul King Memorial Legends Pro-Am in partnership with Bartons and BMD today.
Barr recorded a 2-under-par 67 at Wynnum Golf Club to gain his first Tour title for 2024 on a day when only six players broke par.
The runner-up group of five included Queenslander Brad Kennedy, the winner of 13 tournaments worldwide, who is now a rookie on the seniors circuit after celebrating his 50th birthday last month.
He was joined on 1-under by three other Queenslanders – Marcus Cain, Murray Lott and Adam Le Vesconte – and Melbourne-based Carl Smedley.
Wayne Perske, one of the world’s best All Abilities golfers, also made his PGA Legends Tour debut, shooting an even-par 69 to finish in a tie for seventh just days after his 50th birthday qualified him for a new tour.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Barr had a rocky start to his afternoon with two bogeys on his first four holes but he made his way under par by picking up shots at 10, 12 and 13.
Another birdie on the 110m par-three first hole, his 16th hole of the day, proved to be decisive.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“I didn’t think what I shot would win,” Barr said.
“I was told after I’d holed that last putt that it was for the win. I was quite surprised 2-under won.
“I got off to a poor start but it’s a shorter course and I just had to navigate it. I was lucky to get over the line I guess.
“This is a great event. There’s a lot of tradition on this course with pro-ams.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
67: Scott Barr (WA)
68: Marcus Cain (Qld); Murray Lott (Qld); Brad Kennedy (Qld); Carl Smedley (Vic); Adam Le Vesconte (Qld)
69: Andre Stolz (Qld); Wayne Perske (Qld); Christopher Taylor (Qld); Brad Burns (Qld); Stuart Beament (WA)
NEXT UP
The PGA Legends Series has the week in South-East Queensland with events at Meadowbrook (Tuesday), Wantima (Thursday) and Bribie Island (Friday).
The club that birthed an Open champion will welcome an older breed of legend when Wantima Country Club hosts the Wantima CC Legends Pro-Am on August 1.
The first of two PGA Legends Tour events supported by the City of Moreton Bay, Wantima is a new addition to the schedule in 2024 and will be followed a day later by the Bribie Island Legends Pro-Am at Bribie Island Golf Club.
The home course of 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith, Wantima has undergone major works both on and off the golf course and will showcase a host of Australian golf greats.
Those to have already entered include reigning Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz, Peter Senior OAM, Terry Price, Mike Harwood and Terry Pilkadaris for what is always a popular stage of the season.
“Wantima Country Club is proud to be part of the Australian PGA Legends Tour in 2024,” said Jason Patterson, General Manager at Wantima Country Club.
“The club is very excited to host this event on August 1.
“In the past two years, Wantima Country Club has made many enhancements to the clubhouse and the golf course.
“We are also very proud of our many sponsors for this event with Moreton Bay Council assisting us with sponsorship.”
The Bribie Island Legends Pro-Am dates back to 2018 when Matthew King was the inaugural champion, the Bribie sand base providing for wonderful playing surfaces each and every year.
“There is a really wonderful history building with this event at Bribie Island Golf Club,” said Legends Tour Coordinator, Andy Rogers.
“The players really enjoy the challenge of the golf course, the course is always in fantastic condition and the hospitality of the club, its members and sponsors is up there with the best on tour.”
A total of $29,500 in prizemoney is up for grabs across the two days thanks to the support of the City of Moreton Bay.
City of Moreton Bay stretches from Brisbane’s northern suburbs up to Bribie Island.
Golf courses in the Moreton Bay catchment include Redcliffe Golf Club, Bribie Island Golf Club, Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club, Caboolture Golf Club and Wantima Country Club.
Christopher Wood broke clear from a big group of challengers to score a one-shot win in the Breakers Beach Resort Vanuatu Virginia Pro-Am today.
At one point late in the afternoon, nine professionals were tied for the lead, with another eight players, including Wood, just one stroke behind.
The turning point came on the 444m par-5 13th hole, the Queenslander’s second last hole of the day, where an eagle lifted the 33-year-old to the eventual winning total of 5-under-par to secure his third adidas PGA Pro-Am Series victory for 2024.
William Bruyeres continued a memorable week by sharing second place with Lucas Higgins at -4. After making a rare albatross with a hole-in-one at Howeston on Wednesday, Bruyeres today holed his second shot at the 383m par-4 second.
But while Wood made three on the 13th, Bruyeres, playing in the group behind, made a six to cost him the chance of victory.
A group of six players shared third on 3-under 68, including two winners from earlier this week in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series Brisbane swing, Nathan Barbieri and Jack Murdoch.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Starting his round on the 15th, Wood made a fast start with two birdies in his first four holes and was 4-under for the day before bogeys arrived on the seventh and ninth.
He steadied with a birdie on the 10th before holing the crucial eagle from four metres on 13.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
Christopher Wood: “I think the big thing for me today was that I drove the ball well and kept it in play which gave me a lot of opportunities to attack the pins. I know the greens really well around here so I knew what the putts were doing.
“You need to take advantage of the par-5s and birdie the short par-4s. There’s a lot of holes where you just have to take your par and move on.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
66: Chris Wood (Qld)
67: William Bruyeres (Qld), Lucas Higgins (NSW)
68: Shae Wools-Cobb (Qld), Dylan Gardner (Qld), Jack Murdoch (Vic), Andrew Campbell (NSW), Nathan Barbieri (NSW), Blake Proverbs (Qld)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series heads to the western suburbs of Brisbane for the Brisbane River Golf Club Pro-Am on Monday.
Photo: Christopher Wood with Virginia Director of Golf Brett Maxwell
Will Florimo continued a memorable week in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series when he shared top spot with fellow Queenslander Jake McLeod and Victorian Jack Murdoch at the Zigcrete Constructions Windaroo Lakes Pro-Am today.
The trio finished on 5-under 67 to head a packed leaderboard which featured 15 players within two shots of the lead.
Like Murdoch, who won for the first time in almost two years in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series despite finding the water twice early on, Florimo’s round came in the morning wave as he continued the form that achieved a debut victory at his home club, Pacific, on Monday.
HOW THE WINNERS’ SCORES UNFOLDED
McLeod, who hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation, looked to be in the box seat to take an outright win for the first time since his victory at Mt Coolum last July after going bogey-free through 16 holes. However, a bogey on his 17th hole, the par-4 eighth, dropped him back to 5-under.
The highlight of the former NSW Open champion’s day came on the first. An eagle on the 505m par-5, where he holed out from around three metres following a seven-iron approach, moved him to -3.
Murdoch’s morning round started with two early bogeys after he was forced to take penalty drops on both the par-4 14th and 16th holes, but he then collected seven birdies, including on his final two holes – 12 and 13.
Playing in the group ahead, Florimo was at -3 when he became to the par-5 12th where an eagle propelled him to the joint lead.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
McLeod: “I hit it good today which was nice – first time in, I don’t know, a long time. I’ve been doing some work with my coach for the last three weeks so it was nice to see that paying off.”
Murdoch: “It was a little bit of a rough start, the first swing of the day went straight in the water. Made bogey and then two holes later, another one went in the drink. I probably played three of the hardest holes first up and then gave myself plenty of chances after then.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
67: Jack Murdoch (Vic), Will Florimo (Qld), Jake McLeod (Qld)
68: Matthew Millar (ACT), Edward Donoghue (Vic), James Mee (Qld), Gavin Fairfax (Qld), Andrew Kelly (Vic)
69: Connor McDade (Vic), Darcy Brereton (Vic), Cameron John (Vic), Aaron Townsend (NSW), Josh Armstrong (Qld); Dylan Gardner (Qld), Tim Hart (Qld)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series has two events on Thursday. The Brisbane swing continues with the Breakas Beach Resort Vanuatu Virginia Pro-Am, while in Sydney, the Northbridge Golf Club will stage its Pro-Am.
In-form Nathan Barbieri earned his fifth win for 2024 thanks to a bogey-free 5-under-par 66 at the Howeston Pro-Am in Brisbane today.
Barbieri held off three players – Matt Millar, Cameron John and James Conran – by a single stroke as he continues to build towards the new Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season which begins with the PNG Open in August.
The winner of Final Stage of Qualifying School in April has converted that form into two adidas PGA Pro-Am Series victories in Western Australia, the WA PGA Foursomes Championship, plus a runner-up finish in last week’s Redcliffe Pro-Am.
He’s now climbed to No.3 on the National Pro-Am Order of Merit for 2024.
John and Conran threatened to match Barbieri’s 66 as they came to the end of their rounds.
John, the winner of The National Tournament presented by BMW on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia earlier this year, played his final six holes in 6-under-par, while Conran birdied the 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th.
Millar’s round included six birdies and two bogeys.
The shot of the day came from Queenslander Will Bruyeres who aced the 279m par-4 third hole.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Beginning his day on the 10th tee, Barbieri picked up a birdie on the par-5 12th hole before the highlight of his round, an eagle on the 247m par-4 14th where he hit the green with a three-wood.
He rounded out his opening nine with a birdie on the par-5 18th.
The New South Welshman’s second nine featured eight pars plus a crucial two on the par-3 sixth.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“It’s only my second time here and the last time it was blowing 50kph. It’s an interesting golf course,” Barbieri said.
“I played pretty good all day and didn’t really miss too many greens, holed a few putts here and there.
“Five-under won here last year so I knew it would be around that mark.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
66: Nathan Barbieri (NSW)
67: Matthew Millar (ACT), Cameron John (Vic), James Conran (NSW)
68: Samuel Slater (Qld), Chris Duke (Qld), Caleb Bovalina (Vic)
69: Zachary Maxwell (Qld), Lawry Flynn (Qld); Andrew Kelly (Vic), Christopher Wood (Qld), Lucas Higgins (NSW), Dylan Gardner (Qld)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series continues its stay in the Brisbane region with the Zigcrete Constructions Windaroo Lakes Pro-Am tomorrow followed by the Breakas Beach Resort Vanuatu Virginia Pro-Am on Thursday.
It is time for the final major championship of 2024 for the over-50 crowd, with the PGA TOUR Champions and Legends Tour combining at The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex.
The best players in senior golf, including 13 Australians, three Kiwis and one Fijian, head for Carnoustie in Scotland, and here is all you need to know.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Alex Cejka (GER)
PRIZEMONEY: US $2,850,000
LIVE SCORES: www.europeantour.com/legends-tour/
TV COVERAGE: The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
*All times AEST.
Round One: Thursday 9:30pm–3am (Fox Sports 505/Kayo)
Round Two: Friday 9:30pm–3am (Fox Sports 505/Kayo)
Round Three: Saturday 9:30pm–3am (Fox Sports 505/Kayo)
Final Round: Sunday 9:30pm–3am (Fox Sports 505/Kayo)
AUSTRALASIAN PLAYER PROFILES
STEVEN ALKER
Age: 52
The lowdown: An eight-time PGA TOUR Champions winner, including one victory earlier this year, Alker is always one of the favourites heading into the majors.
The Kiwi has played three of the four grand slam events in 2024 with a worst return of T12 at the US Senior Open, and arrives fresh off a share of seventh at the Senior Players earlier this month.
Alker similarly has a strong record at The Senior Open, including a T11 last year and tie for third a year earlier, and chasing the season-long Charles Schwab Cup title, a good week here would go a long way.
STEVE ALLAN
Age: 50
The lowdown: New to the world of over-50s golf, the Victorian has shown plenty in his debut year in America on the PGA Tour Champions where Allan has seven top-25 finishes so far in 2024.
The majors haven’t been the happiest hunting ground so far for the 2002 Australian Open winner this year, however, having played extensively in Europe early in his career and with his Sandbelt golf background, expect Allan to have a good week here.
A hard worker and terrific putter, Allan will find plenty of fairways and his ball flight control in the wind will be a major positive this week.
STUART APPLEBY
Age: 53
The lowdown: It has been a busy 2024 for Appleby on the PGA TOUR Champions where the Cohuna product’s second half of the season has yielded some impressive results.
Finishing in the top-25 seven times this year, including as runner-up at the Insperity Invitational, Appleby has more than enough links and Open Championship experience to go well at Carnoustie, including a reputation as a top-class ball striker.
MICHAEL CAMPBELL
Age: 55
The lowdown: Lightly raced in racing parlance, the Kiwi winner of the 2005 US Open is a lover of links golf and regular contender when playing that style of golf so don’t count him out this week.
A mercurial ball striker, Campbell will be more than comfortable if the wind gets up and is experienced around Carnoustie, where he played two Opens for a best return of T57.
GREG CHALMERS
Age: 50
The lowdown: Chalmers has continued to impress with his knack of pre-qualifying into events, or turning a start into another the following week on the PGA TOUR Champions in his debut.
Letting his Twitter followers in on his early experience of a practice round, and plenty of lost balls, already this week, Chalmers’ renowned sense of humour will be a major string in his bow at Carnoustie where sometimes all a player can do is laugh.
Another with experience in the UK, Chalmers has plenty of power to use, as well as his renowned ability with the flatstick.
PETER FOWLER
Age: 65
The lowdown: The seemingly ageless Fowler continues to work harder than his much younger contemporaries and will be loving the opportunity to tee it up in another senior major championship.
Known as having the only short game that could rival the great Seve Ballesteros in their primes, Fowler continues to own a wedge game, and especially bunker play, the envy of his competitors that will be a significant advantage here.
Highly experienced in this part of the world, Fowler’s best chance could come if the Scottish summer turns nasty.
RICHARD GREEN
Age: 53
The lowdown: Currently fifth on the PGA TOUR Champions season-long points list, Green continues to show up big time at the majors in 2024 with four top-20s, including a runner-up and third place.
Spending much of his pre-50 career in Europe, and living on the Bellarine Peninsula, links golf and wind is nothing new for the left-hander who will enter this week as one of the favourites again here.
Adding to Green’s chances is his share of fourth at the regular Open Championship held at Carnoustie back in 2007.
SCOTT HEND
Age: 50
The lowdown: Still mixing it with the “flat bellies” of the main Tours of the world, Hend is one of the bigger Australasian chances here this week.
Remaining long off the tee, Hend will have no trouble in the wind in Scotland, while his ball striking remains of high quality.
Leading the standing on the European Legends Tour, Hend has played one senior major in 2024, with the Queenslander finishing in a tie for fourth at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
MARK HENSBY
Age: 53
The lowdown: As he was in his main Tour career, Hensby continues to be the quiet achiever of the Australians playing regular senior Tour golf, with the 53-year-old recording 10 top-25 finishes on the PGA TOUR Champions so far in 2024.
Tied for 14th at the Kaulig Companies Championship a few weeks back, Hensby will be full of confidence and has the game to do well on the links of Carnoustie.
The Tamworth product is another with previous experience at Carnoustie where he missed the cut in 2007, however Hensby showed plenty of comfort in his two other Open Championship starts.
MICHAEL LONG
Age: 55
The lowdown: Playing on the European Legends Tour, the lanky New Zealander is a sneaky good chance this week at Carnoustie.
Currently inside the top-20 of the rankings on the Legends Tour, Long shared 20th a few weeks back at the Swiss Open and his mix of growing up in New Zealand and much of his adult life in Western Australia suggests windy conditions won’t faze Long.
DAVID MCKENZIE
Age: 56
The lowdown: Full of experience since turning 50, McKenzie is another with a grounding in Melbourne and Victorian golf that should translate well here.
Finishing tied for 25th at this event last year, McKenzie’s form so far this year has been solid in his limited opportunities and if his putter is hot he can certainly be a factor late in the piece.
JASON NORRIS
Age: 51
The lowdown: Earning his place thanks to a win at the Australian PGA Seniors Championship at Richmond last year, Norris is perhaps one of the smoky chances here for anyone outside of Australia.
Playing plenty of golf in Europe over his career, Norris is long for the over-50 crowd and plays the game with incredible creativity that will hold him in good stead this week at Carnoustie.
Tied for 15th in Switzerland earlier this month, Norris will relish the chance to show his wares and potentially open up more playing opportunities with a good week.
PETER O’MALLEY
Age: 59
The lowdown: Spending most of his time on the farm these days rather than playing competitive golf, O’Malley is still a tremendous hitter of the golf ball and his exploits in Scotland are legendary.
A winner of the Scottish Open with a final day charge, O’Malley will enjoy his return and despite little lead-in form to go by, windy conditions and the need for precision will suit the New South Welshman, who will hope the putter heats up.
ROD PAMPLING
Age: 54
The lowdown: Two-times a winner on the PGA TOUR Champions, including the SAS Championship in 2023, Pampling’s form so far this year has been up and down, though his ball striking bodes well for this week.
Long considered a top iron player, Pampling has plenty of experience at Carnoustie, including a T27 finish in 2007 and holding the lead of the 1999 Open Championship after the first round before feeling the full “Carnastie” effect on day two.
JOHN SENDEN
Age: 53
The lowdown: There have been signs of the Queenslander’s best in 2024, including with his lone top-10 of the season at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, and if Senden can drop the one round above 73 each event he is a chance this week.
Another of the well regard ball strikers from Australia in this generation, Senden played a handful of Opens in his regular Tour career, with one of his best finishes coming at Carnoustie in 2007.
VIJAY SINGH
Age: 61
The lowdown: Still outworking almost everyone in professional golf, Singh will have taken plenty from his seventh place finish at the US Senior Open late last month at a course that highlights the same skills as Carnoustie.
A senior major champion, Singh owns some of the most significant links experience in the field of the players from outside the UK, and if the putter behaves, the Fijian should be right in this one.
MICHAEL WRIGHT
Age: 50
The lowdown: The last of the Australasians into the field after qualifying at Panmure Golf Club on Monday, Wright is another of the Aussies loving life after 50 on the golf course.
A true journeyman during his career, Wright has recorded three top-25s on the PGA TOUR Champions in his debut season this year, with the most recent coming in his last start at the Kaulig Companies Championship where the Queenslander shared seventh.
Possessing plenty of power, Wright’s ball flight control will be a significant asset this week if the wind gets up.
THE COURSE
Famous for its fearsomeness, Carnoustie Golf Links welcomes a senior major for the third time this week having hosted The Open Championship eight times and AIG Women’s Open twice.
Home to three courses, it is the Championship Course that will test the field this week, with the original 10 hole course designed by Allan Robertson with the help of Old Tom Morris, who returned to create the 18 hole layout in 1867.
Arguably the most difficult course on The Open Rota, Carnoustie is known for its relatively tight fairways in comparison with many links, while the famed ‘Barry Burn’ cuts its way through the course, and particularly the 18th hole, where Jean Van de Velde famously came unstuck in 1999.
The winner of the Claret Jug, Paul Lawrie is in the field this week, so too Van de Velde, and 2007 Open Champion Padraig Harrington.
Even though he hates sleeping on a lead, Christopher Wood completed a wire-to-wire victory in the $60,000 Ian Weigh Toyota Rockhampton Pro-Am by shooting a final round of 67 today.
A tournament best 65 on day one gave Wood control of the three-day event, but he had to hold off a challenge from fellow Queenslander Brett Rankin before emerging as a three-shot winner at 17-under-par.
“I hate it. I’d much rather go into a final round behind than leading,” said Wood who led by a single stroke overnight before being victorious for the second time this year in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series.
“I’m a bit of a scoreboard watcher. I like to know what guys are doing and sometimes that can distract me as well.
“Bretto put some pressure on me late in round with three birdies in a row. The nerves were there with four or five holes to go so I’m happy to come out on top.”
Anthony Choat (NSW) and Dylan Gardner (Qld) shared third place on 12-under.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
A consistent winner of adidas Pro-Am Series events since 2013, Wood’s 67 was the equal best round of Friday.
He had four birdies on his front nine with a dropped shot on the par-5 seventh hole and another three birdies on the back, including on the 17th and 18th to finally see off Rankin, who bogeyed the par-five finishing hole after surging with three consecutive birdies.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“It was a really good week. I felt like my game was really nice all week,” Wood said.
“I had a good idea where the ball was going and the putter was listening from time to time.
“For some reason, I saw the lines on the greens really clearly this week, just trusted my stroke and all the practice that I’ve done.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
-17: Christopher Wood (Qld) 65-67-67
-14: Brett Rankin (Qld) 67-66-69
-13: Anthony Choat (NSW) 67-68-68; Dylan Gardner (Qld) 68-67-68
-12: Andrew Campbell (NSW) 70-67-67; Kyle Michel (Vic) 66-67-71
-11: William Bruyeres (Qld) 67-70-68
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series heads down the Bruce Highway to the Maryborough Golf Club Pro-Am on Monday.
