The golf summer continues with one of the nation’s top tournaments, the 2023 Australian Open, teeing off on Thursday November 30.
Sydney will host the 106th edition of the event with the action to take place across two different courses. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of what promises to be a thrilling event.
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WHERE IS IT?
This year, Sydney’s Australian Golf Club and the Lakes Golf Club are co-hosting the vent.
Men’s and women’s players will alternate between courses across the first two days, with the Australian Golf Club to host the final two rounds on the weekend.
The par 71, 7,228-yard Australian is the country’s oldest course while the Lakes (par 72) is slightly shorter at 6,899 yards but poses more of a Links-style challenge.
WHO IS IN THE FIELD?
A who’s who of Australian golf will feature including Australian PGA Championship winner Min Woo Lee, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert, Matt Jones, Aaron Baddeley and veterans including Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden and Peter Lonard.
Poland’s Adrian Meronk is back to defend his 2022 title while the international crop also includes Chilean Joaquin Niemann, European Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre and in-form Japanese stars Ryo Hisatsune and Rikuya Hoshino.
Californian club pro Michael Block is one of the more intriguing and controversial entrants, accepting an invitation after shooting to fame at the PGA Championship.
The women’s field is spearheaded by Aussie world No.5 Minjee Lee, major winner Hannah Green, reigning champion South African Ashleigh Buhai and Korean Jiyai Shin.
WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES?
These are the favourites in the men’s and women’s field, according to TAB.
Men’s: Min Woo Lee $5.50, Cameron Smith $6.50, Cam Davis $8, Adam Scott $12, Marc Leishman $13, Joaquin Niemann $14, Lucas Herbert $19
Women’s: Minjee Lee $2.50, Jiyai Shin $6, Hannah Green $7, Stephanie Kyruacou $13, Grace Kim $13, Ashleigh Buhai $13
HOW MUCH DO THE WINNERS GET?
A record total of AU$3.4 million of prize money is on offer, with the men’s and women’s champions to each receive $A$270,000
HOW TO WATCH
You can watch every round live ann Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Coverage times in AEDT
Round 1: Thursday, 12pm – 5pm
Round 2: Friday, 12pm – 5pm
Round 3: Saturday, 2pm – 7pm
Round 4: Sunday, 2pm – 7pm
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TEE TIMES (in AEDT)
Full tee times for Round 1 have been released and can be viewed HERE.
Below are some selected marquee groups from the men’s and women’s field for Thursday’s opening round.
THE LAKES GOLF CLUB
7.05am Min Woo Lee, Cameron Smith, Rikuya Hoshino
7.16am Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Stephanie Kyriacou
7.27am Marc Leishman, Cameron Davis, Robert MacIntyre
THE AUSTRALIAN GOLF CLUB
12pm: Adrian Meronk, Adam Scott, Matt Jones
12.11pm Hannah Green, Grace Kim, Ashleigh Buhai
12.22pm Aaron Baddeley, Lucas Herbert, Joaquin Niemann
