Date: October 16, 2013
Author: Golf Australia

Six Aussies join field for Open thriller

Six former Open champions have confirmed their place at this year s Emirates Australian Open at the Royal Sydney Golf Club from 28 November 1 December. Past winners Greg Chalmers, John Senden, Aaron Baddeley, Geoff Ogilvy, Robert Allenby and defending champion Peter Senior will be in the field vying for the Stonehaven Cup. Senior has enjoyed another successful season on the Champions Tour, recording eight Top 10 finishes while Ogilvy, the 2010 Australian Open champion and former U.S Open champion, recorded his best PGA TOUR result for the year at the Honda Classic in March where he finished runner up. World Number 2 and Masters champion Adam Scott and World Number 16 Jason Day will lead the strong Australian contingent on the Rose Bay layout with World Number 6 Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy heading the charge for the international players. Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, said: It’s a very special year for Australian golf and it s great to see Sydney host this world-class event. Visitors coming to the Australian Open Golf in Sydney are in for a real treat to indulge in their golfing passion. The NSW Government remains committed to the long term vision of showcasing the historic Australian Open and highlighting Sydney and NSW s stunning, world-class golf courses to the world. Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said Australian players held a special place in their hearts for the championship and always returned to support the Emirates Australian Open. We re really pleased to be able to showcase so many of the Australian players who already have their name on the Stonehaven Cup. These six have won the trophy ten times between them, Pitt said. It’s also an exciting time for the next generation players like Jason Day who are bidding for their first Emirates Australian Open victory at the end of next month in Sydney. We re looking forward to a fantastic championship and have no doubt the crowds will be out in force to see world-class golf. The Emirates Australian Open will be broadcast live on the Seven Network across all four days and the championship will again be sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia. The Championship is owned by Golf Australia and is managed by World Sport Group in conjunction with the PGA of Australia, with the assistance of TRP Sports. Tickets are on sale via Ticketek at www.ticketek.com or by calling 132 849.