Defending Champion Thorbjorn Olesen, joined
by Tour Pros Louis Oosthuizen, Victor Dubuisson and Brett Rumford, turned
Perth’s grand new waterfront plaza, Elizabeth Quay, into a driving range this
morning as they continued their preparations for the ISPS HANDA Perth
International this week.

Rain might not have been what the players expected when they flew in to Western Australia but it didn’t stop them taking in the sights of the $2.6 billion dollar development on the Swan River Foreshore, which
only opened to the public on January 29.

"I was hoping for some more sun, some more heat but that’s alright it’s only Tuesday so hopefully it will be nice by Thursday," Olesen said.

"Be careful what you wish for," Rumford, a Perth local, joked.

Rumford was excited to see the much talked about development in the flesh and said his hometown was really becoming a fun place to visit, play and socialize in.

"I was fortunate enough to grow up here, Perth is a really cool spot and it’s really changing – in particular the city and what you can do from a tourist and local perspective," Rumford said.

"They are really starting to capitalise on the river and the waterways, give it another 10 years and it’s going to be an even more happening place," he continued.

Rumford is looking forward to the support he will receive as the ‘local boy’ throughout the week and says hopefully it will put him in the best position to have a chance of winning this golf tournament.

"There are a lot of people here in Perth that follow me over the internet and it’s a long year so it’s nice to get the chance to play in front of them – and hopefully play well," he said.

"I’m feeling really good, health’s fully recovered, my games in a good spot I played really well over the last month and I’m just excited to play in front of a home crowd."

The ISPS HANDA Perth International is being held at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club from Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 February.  Tickets can be purchased TicketMaster or at the gate.