/> Max McCardle in action at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open at Royal Sydney
Ranked 99th on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, Adelaide’s Max McCardle has played 10 events in 2014 making 6 cuts.
A member of the Flagstaff Hill Golf Club, McCardle was selected for the South Australian Men’s State Team from 2008-2010, Captaining the Team in his final year.
McCardle played his first Australian Open as an Amateur in 2008 at Royal Sydney shooting 77-78 in the pouring rain and then competed again in 2012 in his second year as a professional carding scores of 79-70 to miss the cut by just one stroke.
Leading into last year’s Open McCardle said “I’m heading to Sydney to try and win. I’m here to definitely compete and I’m aiming for a top 10-15 finish.” True to his word he finished tied for 10th at 6-under with rounds of 68-71-69-74 for a $26,562.50 pay day.
2014 has been a rather frustrating year for McCardle unable to recapture his 2013 form.
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating year, I’ve sort of played well in about 10 smaller events in Australia, missed a couple of cuts by a shot, and been injured with a rib injury the last 6 weeks, so it’s been a bit of a frustrating year”.
“The rib has settled a bit, it was restricting me a lot at the WA Open and at the Perth International I couldn’t hit any balls. I've had a couple of weeks off and am just managing it at the moment, it’s there, but not affecting my swing”.
McCardle will be trying to take positive thoughts into the this year Open.
"It was a good experience last year and I had a lot of fun. I’m optimistic and I’d like to go out there and have some good feelings as soon as I get on the tee.
"I probably havent performed as well as I like in 2014, the form has been a bit scratchy and there have been a few injuries, but I’m going into the event open minded and will try and get into a good rhythm early.”
Preparing for this week’s Open, McCardle has been working with Queensland Head Coach, Tony Meyer.
“He’s been over here the last couple of days so we’ve been working on a couple of feels and its definitely improved since Monday, so its going okay.”
Prior to Meyer, McCardle was coached by Troy Lane, the same coach who previously worked with Nick Cullen.
“I’m good mates with Nick, we’ve spent the past 5-6 years practising together, both being coached by Troy at the same time. “I’m very happy for him. I’ve spend a lot of time practising and playing with Nick and I’ve seen him go through his ups and downs and to see him do it, is a good thing for sure.”
For all news including live scoring throughout The Emirates Australian Open – click here for the Official website
Click here for the PGA of Australia website for Max McCardle bio and past playing statistics.
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