The build-up is well under way for the 101st Emirates Australian Open at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Today is pro-am day at the famous Rose Bay course with the likes of former international cricketers Ian Healy and Brian Lara, AFL players Steve Johnson, Jarrad McVeigh and Josh Kennedy, dual international Wendell Sailor and television personality Kerry-Anne Kennerley taking part in separate events from 7am and 1pm.
Entry is free for spectators.
See the pro-am draw here: http://www.ausopengolf.com/pro-am
World No. 7 Adam Scott, who heads the field along with American superstar Jordan Spieth, made his first appearance at the course yesterday for a practice round.
Scott won the Open in 2009 at New South Wales and was runner-up last time the event was played at Royal Sydney, in 2013.
The 2010 Open champion Geoff Ogilvy said yesterday the Australian Open rated as ''a major'' for the homecoming Australian players who compete overseas through the northern summer.
See Geoff Ogilvy's press conference and story here: http://www.ausopengolf.com/news-display/95003
Spieth, who won the Open in 2014, kickstarting his incredible 2015 season, said he was hell bent on doing the same thing this time around.
See Jordan Spieth's press conference and story here: http://www.ausopengolf.com/news-display/95006
Spieth and Ogilvy will play alongside star amateur Curtis Luck from Perth, the 2016 US amateur champion, in Thursday's opening round, teeing off at 7.10am.
For the full Thursday draw, click here: http://www.ausopengolf.com/tee-times
For those attending today, below is the Wednesday media conference schedule at the media centre at Royal Sydney:
11.30am Jhonattan Vegas
12pm Aaron Baddeley
12.30pm Australia's top amateurs Curtis Luck, Harrison Endycott and Brett Coletta
1.30pm Adam Scott
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The Emirates Australian Open has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, in partnership with Golf Australia.
The Emirates Australian Open is a flagship tournament on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. The winner will receive a minimum of 32 Official World Golf Ranking points.
The event will be telecast all four days on Channel 7.
Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek at www.ticketek.com or by calling 132849.
The 2016 Emirates Australian Open will be played at the Royal Sydney Golf Club from Thursday through Sunday.
Website: http://www.ausopengolf.com/
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