The Australian pair of Scott Hend and Sam Brazel combined brilliantly over the two days of the unique GolfSixes event in England but came up just shy in the final to finish runners-up to Denmark.
The Australian pair of Scott Hend and Sam Brazel combined brilliantly over the two days of the unique GolfSixes event in England but came up just shy in the final to finish runners-up to Denmark.
Both Brazel and Hend contributed equally over the course of the tournament with both hitting their fair share of clutch shots in a format which has received widespread approval from players, fans and officials alike.
Two wins from their three round one matches saw the Australians advance to the day two quarter finals where they barely overcame a determined Thailand team of Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
A final hole birdie from the Thais sent the group to the playoff hole, similar to that used at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, a temporary tee set up 150 metres from the 18th green which was used to decide tied matches.
The Australians birdied courtesy of a brilliant Brazel putt to book a tee time against Scotland in the semi-finals at the Centurion Golf Club outside London.
All square heading to the sixth and final hole it was the Australians who produced some magic, Scott Hend rolling in a birdie putt as the Scots struggled to a bogey.
The final, against the Team from Denmark, began with two halved holes before Australia drew first blood at the third to take a one point advantage with three holes to go.
However, things went awry at the fourth when both Brazel and Hend drove in the water to lose the hole then fell behind to a birdie from the Danes at the fifth.
Needing to win the final hole to force extra holes Hend smashed a huge drive down the par-5 18th allowing Brazel to hit an iron just over the back of the green.
Lucas Bjerregaard had also driven long for the Danes but Olesen’s second shot looked to be heading for water right of the green before miraculously pulling up inches short of the pond.
A poor effort from Hend left Brazel too much to do for birdie and when Bjerregard hit a brilliant recovery from an awkward stance and lie the Australians conceded the match.
While the result didn’t go their way the Australians were effusive in their praise for the innovative event as were all those who took part.
The tournament, pitting two man national teams against each other in a series of six hole matches taking just two days, featured fireworks, music accompanying players to the first tee and a shot clock among its innovations and was met with positive reviews.
European Tour chief Keith Pelley said at the trophy presentation the tournament was guaranteed to return to the schedule in 2018 with further tweaks to the format.