December 07, 2008

GEOFF Ogilvy has finally broken his home soil drought with a two shot win in the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

The 31 year-old Victorian fired a closing three-under 69 to beat Tasmanian Mathew Goggin, who carded a final round 72, by two shots.

Goggin’s chances took a dive with a wild hook shot into the water at the 15th hole where Ogilvy took the lead for the first time.

The win was worth $270,000 to Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open winner.

Queensland veteran Peter Senior, the chairman of the Australian PGA, finished in a three-way tie for third on 11 under along with West Australian Scott Strange and last week's Masters winner Rod Pampling.

APGA: Australian PGA Championship
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -14 67 71 67 69 274
2 Mathew Goggin AUS F -12 67 68 69 72 276
T3 Peter Senior AUS F -11 70 67 71 69 277
T3 Rod Pampling AUS F -11 70 67 68 72 277
T3 Scott Strange AUS F -11 70 69 69 69 277
T6 Brett Rumford AUS F -10 69 72 68 68 277
T6 Chris Gaunt AUS F -10 71 68 68 71 278
T6 Wayne Perske AUS F -10 71 66 73 68 278
T6 Wade Ormsby AUS F -10 70 70 69 69 278
T6 John Senden AUS F -10 69 70 71 68 278

December 08, 2008

GOLF Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt has only been in the job a matter of weeks, but it hasn't stopped him joining the queue of officials looking to lure world No.1 Tiger Woods to the Australian Open, possibly as early as next year.

Pitt is coy about the prospect of Woods playing at New South Wales Golf Club in 2009, but he has confirmed the world No.1 is on Golf Australia's wish-list and that talks are under way, believed to be with Woods's management group IMG.

Pitt also confirmed that NSW Events continued to support attempts to entice Woods to Sydney next year, a move that would have significant ramifications for the tournament's profile.

Events NSW chair John O'Neill said this year that Woods, who commands an appearance fee in the vicinity of $US4 million ($6.2 million), was on the radar.

Woods could be in the country anyway, with the Victorian Government working vigorously to entice him to the 2009 Australian Masters, expected to be played at Kingston Heath.


"I think everybody wants Tiger," said Pitt, who was appointed in September but who began with Golf Australia only in November.

"There has been a bit of work done along those lines.

"It's a possibility. We just have to wait and see."

Woods has played in Australia before, but not since he took part in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne more than a decade ago.

He also played in the 1997 Australian Masters, finishing equal eighth behind Peter Lonard, and in the 1996 Australian Open, when he was tied fifth behind Greg Norman.

Interestingly, the 1996 Open was played at NSW Golf Club, the venue for next year's event.

"We're targeting him for the future," Pitt said. "He's been included in discussions with Events NSW. He's part of the vision for the Australian Open. But we're like everyone else.

"Our vision for the tournament is to make it the strongest event possible and to have the best players. That brings Tiger into the mix.

"There has been a range of discussions about players, including Tiger."

Other players mentioned in relation to the Open include world No.2 Sergio Garcia, world No.3 Phil Mickelson and three-time Major winner Vijay Singh.

But Woods is the big prize.

The 32-year-old is recovering from knee surgery, which is expected to sideline him until early next year. Barring any misfortune, he should be back to full fitness by the start of the 2009-2010 Australian summer - and his return would be a significant fillip for a Tour that has seen better days.



Woods has become arguably the most dominant player in the sport's history since he last played in Australia, taking his Major tally to 14 - four behind record-holder Jack Nicklaus.

Woods has won 65 US PGA Tour titles and more than $US82 million in prizemoney. And his reputation is such that he commands massive galleries and media coverage wherever he goes.

Should the Open or Masters succeed in convincing Woods to return in 2009, PGA Tour of Australasia chief executive Max Garske said his organisation would also look to get involved.

Woods has never played the Australian PGA.

"If any tournament can attract Tiger to play in Australia, it can only be beneficial for Australian golf," Garske said. "We would look to get him, too."

Woods hasn't played since undergoing a knee reconstruction after winning the 2008 US Open.

"Tiger's injured at the moment," Pitt said.

"We're just seeing how things pan out for him. He's an amazing player, probably the most famous and charismatic sportsperson in the world at the moment.

"Everyone would love to have Tiger in their event."

The drive to secure Woods has received the backing of the players, including Australian PGA champion Geoff Ogilvy.

"It would be awesome," Ogilvy said.

"He's been here before, but he's on a whole other level. It would be awesome if the average guy can go out and see what he does. He's a pretty stunning golfer, he makes us all look pretty silly most of the time. The feel when he is at a golf tournament ... is unbelievable.

"It's a bit like when Greg was here back in his prime. There was just an atmosphere at Huntingdale and Royal Melbourne when Greg was striding around there.

"Obviously it's an expensive proposition getting him to a golf tournament ... but definitely worth it, I think, just for the long-term impact.

"Imagine the impact of 25,000 people leaving the golf course and telling their Tiger Woods stories to everyone they know.

"It's just amazing the impact he could have."

Veteran professional Peter Senior, also chairman of PGA Tour of Australasia, agreed.

"Certainly we need a little bit of excitement back into the game," Senior said.

"It would be fantastic. We need something to happen in Australia and certainly Tiger would do it.

"Having him in the field would be a big bonus for golf in Australia."

Australian Open Winner 14/12 - Winner
Odds updated at 07:04:30
Includes Playoff 07:29 Thu 11 Dec 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
23107 OGILVY Geoff 7.00 $
23003 ALLENBY Robert 11.00 $
23004 APPLEBY Stuart 13.00 $
23112 PAMPLING Rod 14.00 $
23086 LONARD Peter 15.00 $
23029 CLARK Tim 16.00 $
23050 GOGGIN Mathew 16.00 $
23132 SENDEN John 16.00 $
23054 GREEN Richard 23.00 $
23053 GREEN Nathan 26.00 $
23030 CLARKE Darren 31.00 $
23046 FRASER Marcus 34.00 $
23028 CHALMERS Greg 41.00 $
23128 RUMFORD Brett 41.00 $
23069 JONES Brendan 51.00 $
23085 LEISHMAN Marc 51.00 $
23089 LYLE Jarrod 51.00 $
23105 NITTIES James 51.00 $
23108 OMALLEY Peter 51.00 $
23113 PARRY Craig 51.00 $
23135 SIM Michael 51.00 $
23143 STRANGE Scott 51.00 $
23052 GOYDOS Paul 67.00 $
23110 ORMSBY Wade 67.00 $
23137 SMAIL David 67.00 $
23035 DALY John 81.00 $
23043 FLANAGAN Nick 81.00 $
23070 JONES Matt 81.00 $
23082 LEE Danny 81.00 $
23084 LEE Won Joon 81.00 $
23133 SENIOR Peter 81.00 $
23002 ALLAN Stephen 101.00 $
23018 BOWDITCH Steven 126.00 $
23063 HEND Scott 126.00 $
23097 MCKENZIE David 126.00 $
23122 PRICE Aron 126.00 $
23134 SHEEHAN Paul 126.00 $
23022 BROWN Mark 151.00 $
23031 CONRAN Steven 151.00 $
23038 DODT Andrew 151.00 $
23080 LAYCOCK Scott 151.00 $
23081 LEANEY Stephen 151.00 $
23149 TOWNSEND Aaron 151.00 $
23007 BARNES Kurt 201.00 $
23013 BLAND Adam 201.00 $
23051 GOW Paul 201.00 $
23087 LONG Michael 201.00 $
23141 STILES Darron 201.00 $
23144 SUMMERS Anthony 201.00 $
23153 WEBBER Kane 201.00 $
23058 HALL Ashley 251.00 $
23076 KULACZ Rick 251.00 $
23088 LUTTERUS David 251.00 $
23036 DARTNALL Stephen 301.00 $
23045 FOWLER Peter 301.00 $
23048 GAUNT Chris 301.00 $
23064 HUGHES Bradley 301.00 $
23099 MILLAR Matthew 301.00 $
23101 MOSELEY Jarrod 301.00 $
23117 PERSKE Wayne 301.00 $
23118 PILKADARIS Terry 301.00 $
23119 PORTER Ewan 301.00 $
23139 SPENCE Craig 301.00 $
23142 STOLZ Andre 301.00 $
23001 ALKER Steven 401.00 $
23016 BONHOMME Andrew 401.00 $
23023 BROWN Mitchell 401.00 $
23033 CRAWFORD Adam 401.00 $
23034 CURTAIN Michael 401.00 $
23066 ILES Bradley 401.00 $
23072 KENNEDY Brad 401.00 $
23078 LAMB Bradley 401.00 $
23111 PADDISON Gareth 401.00 $
23115 PERCY Cameron 401.00 $
23130 SCOTT Craig 401.00 $
23146 TAMPION Andrew 401.00 $
23009 BARR Scott 501.00 $
23015 BLYTH Adam 501.00 $
23019 BRANSDON David 501.00 $
23020 BRENNAN Michael 501.00 $
23026 CAMPBELL Chris 501.00 $
23039 DOWNES Chris 501.00 $
23055 GRIFFIN Matthew 501.00 $
23059 HALLER Ryan 501.00 $
23098 MCLEAN James 501.00 $
23155 WOOD Timothy 501.00 $
23156 WRIGHT Michael 501.00 $
23021 BROWN Anthony 751.00 $
23027 CAROLAN Tony 751.00 $
23041 ECOB Matthew 751.00 $
23042 FELTON Kim 751.00 $
23056 GRIFFITHS Simon 751.00 $
23057 GUETZ Bret 751.00 $
23068 JEFFRESS Steven 751.00 $
23071 JONES Steven 751.00 $
23083 LEE Richard 751.00 $
23114 PEARCE Mahal 751.00 $
23121 PRESNELL Alistair 751.00 $
23123 PRICE Terry 751.00 $
23125 REED Heath 751.00 $
23147 TATAURANGI Phil 751.00 $
23150 TSCHUDIN Andrew 751.00 $
23005 ARNOLD Jamie 1001.00 $
23010 BECK Darren 1001.00 $
23014 BLIZARD Rohan 1001.00 $
23017 BOUVIER Stuart 1001.00 $
23037 DIAZ David 1001.00 $
23040 DRAPER Scott 1001.00 $
23049 GEARY Josh 1001.00 $
23074 KIM Dae Hyun 1001.00 $
23075 KRISTIANSEN Anders 1001.00 $
23096 MCKENZIE Andrew 1001.00 $
23102 NASH Simon 1001.00 $
23106 NORRIS Jason 1001.00 $
23138 SONG Ki Joon 1001.00 $
23140 STEWART Tim 1001.00 $
23145 TAKAHASHI Tatsuhiko 1001.00 $
23152 VILLEGAS Manuel 1001.00 $
23006 ARNOLD Scott 1501.00 $
23008 BARR Eddie 1501.00 $
23011 BECKMANN Daniel 1501.00 $
23025 CAIN Marcus 1501.00 $
23044 FOSTER Michael 1501.00 $
23047 GALLICHAN Richie 1501.00 $
23060 HAMMOND Ryan 1501.00 $
23061 HARMER Shaun 1501.00 $
23067 JAGER Matt 1501.00 $
23073 KENNEDY Troy 1501.00 $
23077 LACASSIE Bronson 1501.00 $
23079 LAMBERT Tristan 1501.00 $
23090 MARMION Dale 1501.00 $
23091 MARTIN Andrew 1501.00 $
23092 MCCARDLE Maxwell 1501.00 $
23093 MCCULLOUGH Brent 1501.00 $
23094 MCGRATH Michael 1501.00 $
23095 MCKECHNIE Leigh 1501.00 $
23100 MOORHEAD Grant 1501.00 $
23109 ONIONS John 1501.00 $
23116 PERRY Jason 1501.00 $
23120 PRATT Kieran 1501.00 $
23124 PROWSE Tom 1501.00 $
23126 REYNOLDS Julian 1501.00 $
23127 RICE Clint 1501.00 $
23131 SCOTT Grant 1501.00 $
23012 BEZUIDENHOUT Rudi 2001.00 $
23024 BURGE Benjamin 2001.00 $
23032 CONSOLI Jared 2001.00 $
23062 HASSETT Steven 2001.00 $
23065 HYNDMAN Daniel 2001.00 $
23103 NILSSON Jens 2001.00 $
23104 NISBET Daniel 2001.00 $
23157 RANKIN Brett 2001.00 $
23136 SIMPSON Alex 2001.00 $
23148 TOPEROSO Raffael 2001.00 $
23151 UMBERS Ashley 2001.00 $
23154 WHARTON Ben 2001.00 $

December 11, 2008

STEPHEN Dartnall had to survive Monday qualifying on a suburban track to get a start in the Australian Open, and now finds himself joint tournament leader with a share of the course record at Royal Sydney.

While camera-smashing John Daly was getting all the attention for the wrong reasons, the 24-year-old Perth journeyman was quietly compiling a superb round of seven-under-par 65.

He joined US tour regular Mathew Goggin and Ewan Porter on top of the leaderboard, two strokes clear of the rest of the field.

Daly is almost certain to miss his third straight cut in Australia, having stormed from the course after signing for a six-over par 78.

He blew his top on the final hole when spectator Brad Clegg got too close with his camera. Daly snatched it from his hands and smashed it to pieces on a nearby tree trunk, yelling "You want it back, I'll buy you a new one".

Daly may face sanction from the PGA tour of Australasia.

Dartnall, meanwhile, was unaware of all the drama as he pulled together six birdies and an eagle, offset by a lone bogey.

A second-year pro, he has been in the form of his life this week. He shot an amazing 10-under par 62 at Sydney course New Brighton on Monday, and is 17-under-par for his last two competitive rounds.

Far from being overwhelmed, Dartnall appears to be taking it in his stride.

"It is one of the bigger tournaments and there is more attention on it, but it does not really change how I think," he said.

"Maybe it will later on. At the moment I feel pretty calm."

Goggin also feels comfortable with his game, having finished second to Geoff Ogilvy in the Australian PGA at Coolum.

He got off to an absolutely sizzling start, with six birdies in his first eight holes.

He capped off his round by hammering a four-wood from more than 250 metres to tap-in range for an eagle at the 535m 16th.

He bogeyed the murderously difficult par-three 17th then recovered the shot by sliding home a two-metre putt for birdie at the last.

"I feel like I believe in myself a lot more," Goggin said.

Porter, who joined them by birdieing three of his last four holes shortly before darkness fell, was delighted with his form reversal.

"This is a total surprise. I've been up and down the whole year, but the last six months has been miserable," he said.

The flat stick was the key to his round. He used it only 23 times.

The three leaders had the best of the conditions as the wind died late in the day, but there is plenty of quality within striking distance.

Australian Masters winner Rod Pampling shot 67 and John Senden, who won the Open when it was last at Royal Sydney in 2006, shot a 68 that included a hole in one at the par-three 14th.

Former champion Peter Lonard shot 69, having switched putters for the umpteenth time.

Robert Allenby had 71 and pre-tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy was on even par 72.

Good scores may be hard to come by in Friday's second round, with rain and high winds forecast.


APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Stephen Dartnall AUS F -7 65 65
T1 Ewan Porter AUS F -7 65 65
T1 Mathew Goggin AUS F -7 65 65
T4 David Smail NZL F -5 67 67
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -5 67 67
T4 Mark Brown NZL F -5 67 67
T7 Danny Lee (a) NZL F -4 68 68
T7 Troy Kennedy AUS F -4 68 68
T9 Peter Lonard AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Heath Reed AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Anthony Summers AUS F -3 69 69
T9 John Senden AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Andrew Bonhomme AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Craig Scott AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Andre Stolz AUS F -3 69 69

December 11, 2008

JOHN Daly has endured another nightmare day on the PGA Tour of Australasia, grabbing a spectator's camera and smashing it into a tree during the first round of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney.

Daly, who is heading for an early exit from the tournament, pushed his tee shot on the 9th hole - his final hole of the day - and walked into a clump of trees, where golf fan Brad Clegg tried to take his picture from close range.

It was the last straw for Daly, clearly frustrated at his lack of success in three tournaments in Australia this season.

After snatching the camera, Daly stalked up to the nearest tree and hurled it with all his force into the trunk.

"You want it back, I'll buy you a new one," Daly said to the fan.

As Daly completed the hole, Clegg, a 15-handicapper from Sydney club Ashlar, was left to pick up the pieces - literally.

Clegg, who had taken a leave day especially to see Daly play, said it was a disappointing way to finish the day.

"It hasn't ended well," he said.

Asked if he would be seeking compensation, Clegg said: "I don't think I'll be chasing him for the money. He's a big bloke."

Clegg said he had come out specifically to watch Daly because it might be the last chance he has.

"It was very unexpected."

Clegg said he did not think he had provoked Daly.

"I was bold but I wasn't unreasonable," he said.

Daly defended his actions, however, saying "I was looking to take a drop and the camera was six inches away from my face".

"If I was 10-under-par I would have felt the same," Daly said.

"I feel it was very rude to put a camera that close to anybody's face in any situation.

"The guy that had the camera had already taken a dozen shots at close range."

Tournament director Trevor Herden added that Clegg had breached the conditions of entry which clearly state that spectators cannot carry cameras or mobile phones.

Daly shot a six-over-par 78 and will need something special in the second round if he is to avoid missing his third cut in as many weeks.

He was paid appearance money to play on the Australian circuit this year.

Organisers believe he has pulled people through the gate but he has not delivered results on the course.

He missed the cut in both the Australian Masters at Huntingdale and in the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

December 12, 2008

SECOND-year professional Stephen Dartnall held his nerve and the lead but some big name players were on the scent in a rain-affected second round of the Australian Open.

West Australian qualifier Dartnall showed his opening-round seven-under 65 was no fluke, backing it up with a solid four-under 68 at Royal Sydney in the best of the conditions early on Friday to open up a two-stroke lead at 11 under before rain stopped play.

Troubled American John Daly will be around for the weekend, but likely only to finish his second round after he picked up one shot to move to five over through nine holes, with the cut likely to be one-over par.

With half the field still to complete their second rounds, US PGA Tour regular and world No.70 Mathew Goggin was outright second on nine under after a second-round 70.

But a host of established stars were lurking.

Australian Masters winner Rod Pampling (71) was well in touch at six under, one stroke ahead of two-time former Open champion Peter Lonard, who quietly moved into contention with a 70 on Friday to go with his first-round 69.

Robert Allenby was on a charge early in his round before heavy rain forced stopped play shortly after 3pm (EDT). He picked up four shots through nine holes to sit alongside Lonard on five under.

Australian PGA champion Geoff Ogilvy and 2006 Open winner John Senden were both two under for the tournament with nine holes left in their second rounds.

The players who had already finished their second rounds held an advantage, although the skies were expected to clear on Saturday with warm conditions forecast, meaning low scores should be the order of the day.

Everyone was chasing the unlikely figure of Dartnall, the 24-year-old clearly unperturbed after spending Thursday night in the lofty position of sharing the overnight lead.

In his second round he mixed six birdies with two bogeys and still felt he could improve on his opening two rounds.

"I feel I've been playing really well, (but) the good thing is I haven't got everything out of both the rounds, so there's still room for improvement,'' he said.

"I've played fantastic and I'm really happy with the way it's gone.

"Obviously you know what position you're in, but you try to take it like any other tournament.''

Play will re-start on Saturday at 6.45am (EDT) and organisers were hoping to start the third round at 11.45am (EDT), again using groups of three and a two-tee start.

APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Stephen Dartnall AUS F -11 65 68 133
2 Mathew Goggin AUS F -9 65 70 135
3 Ewan Porter AUS F -8 65 71 136
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -6 67 71 138
T4 Matthew Jones AUS F -6 71 67 138
T6 Stuart Bouvier AUS F -5 70 69 139
T6 Rick Kulacz AUS F -5 70 69 139
T6 Cameron Percy AUS F -5 72 67 139
T6 Robert Allenby AUS 9 -5 71 71
T6 Peter Lonard AUS F -5 69 70 139

December 13, 2008

WITH New Zealand Open and Japan Open titles already in his keeping, David Smail has put himself in position to add an Australian Open crown to his resume in the final round.

Smail fired a steady two-under par 70 at the Rose Bay course to add to his earlier rounds of 67 and 68 to move to 11-under for the tournament, one-stroke ahead of New South Welshman Andre Stolz (66).

Overnight leader Stephen Dartnall (75) and Ewan Porter (72) are two shots further back on eight-under, ahead of four players on seven-under, including two-time former Open champion Robert Allenby (71).

After two days of dreadful weather, with the second round carried over until Saturday morning due to heavy rain, players were offered some respite on a clear, sunny Sydney day and they responded with plenty of low scores.

Stolz and Steven Bowditch (66) were both on track to break the course record of 65 before the wind picked up late in the day.

They are all chasing Smail, who endured a gruelling day, rising just after 4.30am and forced to complete 11 holes of his second round before getting his third round underway.

"It'd be nice to have the New Zealand Open, Japan Open and the Aussie Open," he said.

"That would sound pretty good. I'll just see how it goes tomorrow.

"It would be nice to bring the Cup home to New Zealand that's for sure."

Stolz is on the comeback trail after he quit the game for two years due to a wrist injury.

The 38-year-old only started playing again seriously in the past six months.

After finishing in a tie for 17th at the Australian Masters two weeks ago, he now finds himself in contention for the Stonehaven Cup.

"I had an alright week at Huntingdale and thought it'd be good to finish top 50 on the moneylist," he said.

"Pretty small goal really but I just didn't want to have to ask for any more invites.

"I'm just enjoying it and tomorrow I'll be trying my guts out, but I feel like I'm lucky to be out here and it's a bonus to be back playing after so many years."

Allenby is lurking just four shots off the pace and the veteran will surely be a threat in the final round against an inexperienced-looking leaderboard.

But Smail, who plies his trade on the Japanese Tour, is a seasoned campaigner and won't give up his lead without a fight.

The Kiwi knew exactly what he wanted to do after finishing an arduous day.

"Just rest. It might be room service and just lay down and rest," he said.

APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 David Smail NZL F -11 67 68 70 205
2 Andre Stolz AUS F -10 69 71 66 206
T3 Stephen Dartnall AUS F -8 65 68 75 208
T3 Ewan Porter AUS F -8 65 71 72 208
T5 Chris Gaunt AUS F -7 70 65 74 209
T5 Steven Bowditch AUS F -7 72 71 66 209
T5 Rohan Blizard AUS F -7 70 69 70 209
T5 Robert Allenby AUS F -7 71 67 71 209
T9 Andrew Bonhomme AUS F -6 69 72 69 210
T9 Mathew Goggin AUS F -6 65 70 75 210
T9 Tim Wood AUS F -6 70 74 66 210
T9 Jason Norris AUS F -6 72 65 73 210

December 14, 2008

SOUTH African Tim Clark doesn't feel appreciated in his native land, but he might have found a new home after capturing the $1.5 million Australian Open in dramatic circumstances.

The world No.42 prevailed in a playoff over Australian Mathew Goggin after New Zealand's David Smail threw away what appeared an almost certain victory.

Smail led by three shots with four holes remaining, but carded consecutive double-bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes to finish on eight-under, one shot out of the playoff.

It then took just one extra hole for a winner to be declared, Clark getting up and down out of a greenside bunker for par, while Goggin three-putted for bogey as the South African grabbed the $270,000 first prize and the Stonehaven Cup.

Goggin was left with another disappointment after also finishing second behind Geoff Ogilvy at the Australian PGA at Coolum.

Clark had felt his final round five-under 67 wasn't quite enough, but Smail's meltdown opened the door and the South African, who turns 33 on Wednesday, accepted the invitation.

"I didn't even consider there would be a playoff until about 30 minutes after I finished," he said.

"I was watching the TV having a pie and chips, believe it or not, and thought I better get down there and warm-up.

"It's obviously a bonus to get into the playoff and I feel bad for David the way he finished.

"Then in the playoff I won it like that too. It's tough to win like that but at the end of the day, I'm the winner."

One would assume a man who has twice won the South African Open and finished runner-up at the US Masters would be lauded at home, but Clark has felt more appreciated in Australia over the past three weeks.

"In all honesty I've felt more welcome here than I do when I go home," he said.

"People have been very excited for me to be here playing.

"I can feel the appreciation from the people around that I'm here playing and I don't feel that when I'm at home.

"That's probably why I came down here this year."

That appreciation will only grow after winning the Open and he plans to return next year.

"I guess I'll have to now," he said with a smile.

"I was probably going to come back and just play (the Australian Masters) and Coolum but that's going to have to change."

Both Clark and Goggin were rather subdued after the playoff as they felt for Smail, who seemingly had the Cup in his grasp.

"I'm just gutted," Smail said afterwards.

“I was a bit shattered after that (double-bogey on the 15th). I just really lost my way."


APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Tim Clark RSA F -9 70 73 69 67 279
2 Mathew Goggin AUS F -9 65 70 75 69 279
T3 Stephen Dartnall AUS 16 -8 65 68 75 72 280
T3 Robert Allenby AUS 17 -8 71 67 71 71 280
T3 David Smail NZL 15 -8 67 68 70 75 280
T6 Chris Gaunt AUS 17 -7 70 65 74 72 281
T6 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -7 72 71 70 68 281
T6 Steven Conran AUS F -7 70 66 75 70 281
T6 Andre Stolz AUS 15 -7 69 71 66 75 281
10 Richard Green AUS F -6 71 72 71 68 282

Thanks Dougie for these postings. What a weird final day it was, particularly the back nine. Poor David Smail but good luck to Tim Clark, he is a quality player and it will be good if he comes back next year. I did not see the presentation and did not take too much notice after Goggin missed the final putt in the play-off but my wife commented to me that she was a bit disappointed that Mathew did not appear to be as gracious as we would like our Australian sportsmen to be. A low aspect of the tournament was what appeared to be inappropriately loud drunken so-called fans. I'd like to have one of those Tayza guns. That bloke Brad Clegg who took the photo of John Daly was another low point. Instead of breaking the camera against a tree and if John Daly could have got away with, it is a shame he didn't break it over his head. These people are disgraceful, an embarrassment to Australia. A high point of the tournament was young Stephen Dartnall. He CAN PLAY and the way he carried himself throughout the whole tournament was impeccable, very impressive. I did not see him walk up to the green (the first I think??) where his ball hit the guy on the foot. I hope he showed appropriate concern but of course the players have to remain in control of their emotions, it is such a psychological game. This comment is going to be a bit of a joke coming from someone who is no better than an 18 handicapper but I think Stephen would benefit from a talk with Rod Pampling and Rod's coach (Gary Edwin I think). Stephen is trying to hit the crap out of the ball (every tee shot anyway). Rob P when he first came on to the Australian scene was known to be a huge hitter but he has wound that back slightly to the betterment of his game and the millions of dollars he has now earnt. His misses (sports psychologist) probably had a bit to do with that as well. Chris Gaunt was also excellent, 3 weeks in row, I think, that he has played very well. Good on you Chris. I love the golf but not as much as I love the dogs.