The 2009 Handa Australian Senior Open is set to tee off at 7.30am on Saturday morning at Royal Perth Golf Club in South Perth. This year s Senior Open boasts the largest field in the tournament s history with 108 senior competitors vying for the prestigious title and largest purse in Australian Senior golf. Tournament favourite Peter Senior, a rookie on the Australian Legend s Tour, said the course is narrow and tight and will be a real test to all competitors. Senior enters the Handa Australian Senior Open as the form player, having secured 3 top 10 finishes in his short time on the European Seniors Tour in the last few months. Whenever I tee it up lately, I know I m a chance Senior commented at today s media launch. I ve been working really hard in the last few months and my success in Europe has given me confidence but golf is a game that can quickly take that away from you after one round so we ll see what happens . Two time winner and defending champion Wayne Grady agreed the course is in pristine condition and with the greens running fast, added to the tight layout, players will need to drive the ball well to have any chance. Grady has had an average year playing the US Champions Tour but is preparing to return to Tour School next week. My year has been awful but I m going to give it one more go in the US and we ll see where that takes me. I have commentating commitments in the US and UK next year but if things don t work out at Tour School I m going to enjoy spending more time at home in Australia . With Grady known amongst his peers as one of the best drivers of the ball, his game will suit the layout this week and no doubt his name will be on the leaderboard in contention on Sunday. Players commented that the par 3 second hole is without a doubt the hardest on course and quite possibly the hardest par 3 in Australia. Michael Clayton agreed it is unlikely that any player will hit the green with their tee shot on all 3 days during the tournament! With a Toyota Camry on offer from Melville Toyota for a hole in one on Sunday, players who make the cut will be eager to have mastered the hole by then. Local legend Terry Gale will have a home course advantage over the field this week and having played a major part in the most recent course changes at Royal Perth, he will be one to watch out for come Sunday. Play will commence at 7.30am on Friday 23rd October. Spectators are welcome and entry is a gold coin donation with proceeds supporting Junior Golf.
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