Date: August 23, 2017
Author: Golf Australia

Key course changes for Australian Open

The course length hasn't changed, but keen observers at this year's Emirates Australian Open will notice a couple of substantial changes to The Australian Golf Club.

Hosting its record 20th national championship, the famous Rosebery club will again play to 6619m as it did in 2015 when it most recently hosted the race for the Stonehaven Cup.

But two key differences will greet the world-class field when it assembles in Sydney from 23-26 November.

On the front nine, a new tee on the fourth hole will give a whole new look for players as they face the long par-three with water up the right.

Tournament director Trevor Herden said the new tee, on the left of the old block from the players' perspective, was important to create options for pin placements, especially up the right of the green.

"This tee now creates a more favourable line for the players to take, especially to right-side pins, as it is provides a slightly larger depth of green," Herden said.

The next key change is early on the back nine, with a new fairway bunker on the 12th hole, a short par-four.

"It has been introduced on the ride side of the 12th fairway nearer the green," Herden said.

"This will put more emphasis on accuracy off the tee for the longer hitters who may have aimed right to avoid the left side bunkers."

The course has undergone some other small changes in the past two years, but no others will be factors during the national championship.

The course will again be played as a par-71 layout with the long first hole playing as a par-four, as opposed to its par-five status for members during the year.

The course record was set in 2015 when Rod Pampling eagled the final hole to card a 10-under-par 61.