Date: October 09, 2007
Author: Steve Orme

Future bright for Australian golf

The MFS 2007 Australian Open will feature a top-class field including seven Australians currently inside the top 50 in the official world golf rankings. PGA Tour regulars, including rookie of the year candidate Brandt Snedeker, along with likeable duo Will Mackenzie and Jason Gore will add an international flavour to the event. Five of the top 25 players of the Asian Tour and Japan Tour order of merits, as well as three of the top 15 players on the Korean order of merit, will also receive direct entry into the tournament. But while this year&aposs field will include more internationals, Australia&aposs second-highest ranked player Geoff Ogilvy, who was on hand to launch the event on Monday, said it is the next generation of Aussie golfers that has him most excited. “When I&aposm not playing, if I&aposve got a week off, I watch the Nationwide (Tour) live scoring more than I watch the (PGA) Tour scoring to be honest with you,” Ogilvy said. “Because Australia, we&aposve done unbelievable, and this is probably our best year – (19-year old) Jason Day had his (PGA Tour) card locked-up really early and was the youngest guy ever to win on the Nationwide Tour this year.” “And (Nick) Flanagan got the battlefield deal (mid-season promotion to main tour following three victories this season on the Nationwide Tour) and he&aposs already made two cuts in his first two tournaments.” “And there&aposs a couple right on the fringe of getting there like Aaron Price is 36th (on the Nationwide Tour money list) and David McKenzie&aposs close to getting his card back again.” “We get that many people up every year that you forget them all so the Americans are starting to wonder what we&aposre doing down here.” And Ogilvy can see no reason why one of the young-guns can&apost prevail in this year&aposs Open. “Both Jason and Nick have had pretty big years. Nick&aposs been a great player for a long time and he&aposs only 23 and Jason Day he&aposs 19, I&aposve known about Jason Day for a long time and he&aposs a great player.” “I&aposd imagine they&aposll both play pretty good.” The 2007 MFS Australian Open will run from December 13-16 at Sydney&aposs Australian Golf Club.