We are back to the Australian mainland
after events in New Caledonia and Fiji, the PGA Tour of Australasia revisits
Brisbane Golf Club for the first time since 1991 when Stuart Appleby won the
QLD Open title as an amateur. Whilst the Tour Insider has been busy removing
the tiny grains of Fiji sand from my hair follicles, I have also found the time
to assemble five players for you to keep your eyes on at this week’s Isuzu Queensland
Open.

#1
Taylor Macdonald

It’s been a mixed season of results so far
for Macdonald in his rookie year on the PGA Tour of Australasia after finishing
third at Qualifying School. A guy with plenty of talent and a distinguished
amateur career, look for Macdonald to find his feet at the Brisbane Golf Club
this week as he’ll no doubt relish the opportunity to sleep at home and compete
in his own backyard. A long hitter and prolific ball striker, the Brisbane
layout should provide plenty of birdie opportunities for Macdonald and if the
putter cooperates, look for him towards the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.

#2 Geoff
Drakeford

There’s a lot to like about Geoff
Drakeford, a genuine laid back Aussie guy who you’d happily sit at the bar with
most weekends and discuss the next race at Flemington, but don’t be fooled, he
will absolutely destroy you on the golf course!  With a few years of Tour experience under his
belt, as well as a stint on the Challenge Tour in Europe, now is the time for
Geoff to make his mark on the Australian golfing scene. The Brisbane Golf Club
should set up perfectly for his game, not an overly long course, expect
Drakeford to have nothing more than a wedge into majority of the par-4’s.

#3
Antonio Murdaca

Antonio’s season can be best associated
with a bag of lollies: Licorice All-Sorts. Playing with all but no status
anywhere, Murdaca has relied on tournament invites on the back of his amateur
results which included his Major Championship debut at Augusta National. He’s
played everywhere from France to Korea to the United States, however, since
turning Professional Murdaca hasn’t really hit the anticipated heights, unlike
his current air points! Expect this to turn around sooner rather than later.
Following a runner-up finish at the WA Open earlier in the year, Murdaca has just qualified through to second stage of Web.Com Q-School after shooting
16-under par, so the game is definitely there, let’s just hope his clubs arrive
on time in Brisbane!

#4 Min
Woo Lee (am)

What a year it has been for the Australian
Amateurs, kick started by Min Woo Lee’s victory at the US Junior Amateur
Championship earlier this year, followed by Curtis Luck taking out both the US
Amateur and Asia- Pacific Amateur Championships. Not sure what’s in the water
over in Perth, but it is proving to be a solid breeding ground for Australian
golfing talent. Whilst this week he will compete against the professionals, Min
Woo is no stranger to the competitive nature on tour having played in previous
PGA Tour of Australasia events in WA. There’s something about these
up-and-coming WA boys, they’re fearless, the QLD Open will provide a perfect
opportunity for Min Woo to continue his development. Keep your eye on this one.

#5
Jarrod Lyle

One of the Australian public’s favourite
golfing icons. His story is well documented and well worth a read if you haven’t
already, it’s great to see him not only playing again on Tour, but playing
competitively. Coming off a 12^th place finish in Fiji last week,
Lyle arrived into Brisbane on Sunday to familiarise himself with the Brisbane
Golf Club layout. No stranger to preparation after many years spent on the PGA
TOUR in America, Lyle is aiming to master the greens at Brisbane Golf Club
which proves to be the courses strongest defense. Don’t let that big loveable
smile bamboozle you, Lyle is here for the win.