Jason Scrivener headlines a strong contingent of Aussie young guns teeing it up at the Oates Vic Open this week at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links.
The Oates Vic Open has a long history of providing young Professionals a chance to shine with many past champions recording their first victory at the tournament.
Defending champion Matt Griffin may have been a proven victor when he claimed the Oates Vic Open title last year however it was made more significant with it being his first win on home soil.
In 2013 Matthew Giles claimed the title making it his first Professional victory as did Scott Arnold in 2012, Robert Allenby in 1991, who is also the last amateur to have won the Vic Open and Mike Clayton in 1982.
This year a fresh new wave of talent are aiming to win their first professional tournament at the Oates Vic Open, the charge being lead by West Australian Jason Scrivener.
Having turned Professional in 2010, Scrivener has racked up seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour of Australasia and has now ventured overseas having earned his European Tour card for 2015.
“I was ecstatic to get my card, it’s a great opportunity for me,” said Scrivener.
“I just have to consolidate on that this year and make sure I have a job for next year on the European Tour.”
Scrivener has made a strong start to his Rookie season on the European Tour having finished T11 in his first tournament.
“It was a nice way to start the year, to get in contention and I felt pretty comfortable out there,” added Scrivener.
Riding a wave of confidence Scrivener believes this could be his chance to add his name to the trophy this week.
“I think the one thing missing at the moment is a win,” added Scrivener.
“I would like to have won before but it’s taken longer than I would have thought.”
“It’s definitely the next step and would be a huge confidence boost for me going into the rest of the year."
While he is yet to make the cut at Thirteenth Beach, Scrivener believes having already played a tournament this year will work in his favour.
“To be honest I haven’t played that well here in the past,” added Scrivener who usually tees off his season at the Oates Vic Open.
“It’s probably been the time of year; I have generally had a slow start to the year,” added Scrivener.
“I think having had an event under my belt and playing well straight away its going to help me hit the ground running.”
“I definitely want to get off to a good start this year that is probably the main difference between this year and the past couple of years.”
Other young guns looking for their breakthrough victory on the PGA Tour of Australasia this week include Daniel Nisbet (QLD), Todd Sinnott (VIC), Ben Campbell (NZ), Geoff Drakeford (VIC) and Matt Jager (WA).
The Oates Vic Open will be played at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads from 5-8 February.
Being played for a prize purse of AU$250,000 the winner also receives Official World Golf Ranking Points and becomes fully exempt on to the PGA Tour of Australasia for the remainder of this season plus a further two years.
By: PGA of Australia