Ogilvy TV Commercial for Australian Open

Here is the new TV commercial featuring Geoff Ogilvy to promote this week's Australian Open at The Lakes in Sydney. Courtesy of Golf Australia.

Norman and Couples name assistants for 2011 Presidents Cup

Jay Haas, Michael Jordan to reprise 2009 roles for U.S. Team; Nobilo back for International Team, with Norman to name second captain’s assistant next year.

Today marked the official countdown to the 2011 Presidents Cup at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne. Team captains Greg Norman and Fred Couples were around to announce their assistants. 

Greg Norman has gone with Frank Nobilo once again and Fred Couples has also gone with the assistants that helped him win in 2009, Michael Jordan and Jay Haas. 

Yes, that's right, Michael Jordan. 

“Jay and Michael were instrumental in the U.S. Team’s success in 2009, and I knew as soon as I was asked to be captain again that I would need them both by my side to keep things running smoothly and ensure we have the best chance at retaining the Cup when we get to Melbourne,” said Couples. “Jay has been one of my closest friends in golf for many years, and I really respect his instincts and leadership qualities. Michael is, of course, one of the greatest athletes of all time, and to have a champion like him in the cabin to help motivate and inspire the team is such a tremendous asset. At the end of the day, win or lose, we’re going to have a great time and make sure all the guys have a great Presidents Cup experience.”

Norman said, “Frank has been a friend for so many years, and he was my right-hand man for the 2009 event. I couldn’t have done it without him and I wouldn’t want to do it again if he wasn’t one of my two assistants. He shares with me the ultimate goal of winning The Presidents Cup for the first time since 1998, and what better time and place to do so than when we return to Melbourne for the 2011 event.”

“Being a part of the 2009 Presidents Cup was such a highlight of my career, and I’m thrilled that Fred asked me back as a captain’s assistant for 2011,” said Haas. “I wasn’t a part of the 1998 U.S. Team that went to Melbourne, so I’m really looking forward to making the trip next year and doing all I can to help Fred and the U.S. Team keep the Cup.”

“I can’t wait for the 2011 Presidents Cup,” said Jordan. “I had such a good time in San Francisco with Freddie, Jay and the team back in 2009. I love golf, the team atmosphere and, of course, competition, and to be in the locker room with some of the best golfers on the planet was a great experience. I’m glad to be coming back to help the U.S. Team win in Australia.”

Nobilo, a veteran of several professional golf tours worldwide and a three-time International Presidents Cup Team member, serves as a Golf Channel analyst for the PGA TOUR and studio shows. Nobilo competed for in The Presidents Cup in 1994, 1996 and 1998 and contributed two points to the International Team’s victory in the 1998 event in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

“I will never forget what it felt like in 1998 at Royal Melbourne to be part of the first ever International Team to win The Presidents Cup, and being Greg’s assistant last year rekindled those feelings even more,” said Nobilo. “To be able to combine the knowledge of last year with the memories of ’98 and be given the opportunity to assist the Team in reclaiming The Presidents Cup will be the highlight of my year. I can’t thank Greg enough for this opportunity.”

The Presidents Cup is a biennial event that pits players from the United States and non-European countries in a team, match-play competition. The Presidents Cup 2011 returns to The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, November 17-20, 2011. The 2013 event will be staged at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The Presidents Cup 2015 will be staged either in South Korea, Japan, India, South Africa or Argentina, which are all now going through a bid process.

The U.S. Team has claimed victory in five of the seven events played since the competition began in 1994 (the 2003 event resulted in a memorable tie when Tiger Woods and Ernie Els dueled into a twilight, sudden-death playoff).

The Presidents Cup web site

Australian Open on TV

Here's the good oil on the TV Times for the Australian Open being held at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney this weekend.

LIVE on Ten and ONE HD all weekend

Thursday 2 December:12.00pm - 5.00pm

Friday 3 December:12.00pm - 5.00pm

Saturday 4 December: 12.00pm - 5.00pm

Sunday 5 December: 12.00pm - 5.00pm

Saturday 4 December: 12.00pm - 5.00pm

Sunday 5 December:12.00pm - 5.00pm

Who will win the Australian Open?

The 2010 Australian Open is being held at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney this week and Aussie Golfer will once again be on course to cover the action. It has been overshadowed by Tiger Woods' presence at the Australian Masters the past two years but I tend to think the field this year is just as good as the Masters. If not better.

The Australian Masters, although claiming to boast one of the best fields ever assembled in Australia, was missing many of Australia's best golfers. The three internationals in Woods, Garcia and Villegas were of course good value but the timing of the event meant many Aussies were still playing in Europe, Asia or fighting for their US PGA Tour cards.

Missing from the Australian Masters were Scott Strange, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, Nick O'Hern, John Senden, Rod Pampling, Richard Green and Marc Leishman. That is a seriously impressive set of Australian golfers who will be playing at The Lakes this weekend. Add to the mix Michael Sim, Greg Norman, Wenchong Liang, Geoff Ogilvy and Fred Couples and we have a great tournament ahead.

Who can't win?

Greg Norman won here in 1980 but the course is a shade of its former self. Holes have been rebuilt and redirected, and there is plenty of bunkers and wasteland that would leave Dustin Johnson confused. Unfortunately, Norman will struggle but it would be great to see him in contention again. 

Rod Pampling and Aaron Baddeley won't be there on Sunday. Rod Pampling has lost his US PGA Tour card after an awful year and Aaron Baddeley has been playing in golfing hell. Peter Senior, Peter Fowler and Rodger Davis are all playing in the event but don't expect any flashbacks to leaderboard's of the 80's with these names on it.

As much as we'd like it, it is hard to see John Daly winning. Especially given his comments admitting to playing better when he was drunk.

So who is going to win?

2009 Australian Open winner, Adam Scott 

Keep an eye out for John Senden, Andrew Dodt, Alistair Presnell and Rick Kulacz who have all had a good year. Stuart Appleby has a good chance given his fantastic win at the Masters but a fourth addition to the family (making 4 kids under 5-years old) means golf has taken a back seat for a few weeks. 

Don't rule out Fred Couples. Four wins on the Champions Tour this year and a Top-10 at the US Masters has Freddy playing some great golf. If his back holds up after the long flight, he's a chance.

Adam Scott is the man though. A recent win at the Singapore Open means Scott's putter is working and his Open victory last year has thrown the "can't win in Australia" monkey off his back. He is outright favourite and will be in contention on Sunday afternoon to defend his title.

Ultimate golf lesson

As we end the week I thought this golf lesson may be useful for the weekend. Keep it in mind over tee shot on the first tomorrow.

Down to a tee

Review: Aussie Golfer received a few tees from different manufacturers. We decided to put them up against each other. A tee off.

Tees are tees right? I thought so until I recently asked this question to other golfers. I really had no idea that golfers were that precious about what sort of tee they used.

7 signs you're an Aussie golf tragic

An edited and revamped post which was originally published on Aussie Golfer in late 2008.

7 signs you're an Aussie golf tragic

1. You take a rake to the beach to smooth over your own footprints.
2. When you hear the words "plus-fours", you immediately think: Rodger Davis.
3. You kinda wished Greg Norman had never got in contention in the 2008 British Open.
4. A mates golf game has deserted him. You now call him IBF.
5. You really believe the newspaper articles telling us how this year is Australia's best chance of winner at Augusta.
6. You mark your ball with a VB bottle top.
7. You've taped up one side of the golf ball to see if you can get it to swing.

Tiger Woods' new house

This is Tiger Woods' new $55million pad in Florida.

(H/T Dogs that Chase Cars for this one)

Rules of Golf: Ball Overhanging the Hole

There is a very specific golf rule which deals with a very specific situation; when your golf ball is overhanging the hole. How much time are you allowed to wait to see if it falls in?

Rule 16-2, deals with this:

Ball Overhanging Hole

When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest. If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke, and he must add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole; otherwise, there is no penalty under this Rule.

In summary, you have the time it takes to walk to the ball plus 10 seconds. If it falls in after this time, the ball is holed but you add a shot. 

A quick example 

Your third putt comes up short and the golf ball lies on the edge of the cup. You walk to the ball, wait 10 seconds and it doesn't fall in. After 20seconds it falls in. You finish with a four.

And next time, hit it harder.

More golf rules
Banned drivers
Attending the flagstick
Wrong green

Tiger now on Twitter

If you haven't heard already, Tiger Woods is now on Twitter. The account has been enabled for over a year now but it appears Tiger himself has now taken over the reins. 

I'm a little doubtful how all this will go. The Tiger Woods marketing machine is no doubt pushing for this to happen for him to win back some of his fans. Time will tell how long this lasts and how interactive it becomes. 

I personally think it will be far more interesting to follow Aussie Golfer on Twitter!

Masters moments...in case you missed it

Here are a few fun moments from last week's Australian Masters you may have missed.

Warnie and Woodsy

Tournament organisers scripted a beautiful exchange between Shane Warne and Tiger Woods at the pre-tournament dinner that allowed the large elephant in the room to walk freely for the rest of the Masters. The video of the exchange is below in case you missed it.

Tiger fist pump

The hype was much less than last year but don't let it fool you. The galleries around Tiger were huge all weekend despite very little to bring much excitement. Finally after 66 holes, (with many fans wearing the same shirt) Tiger went wild and rolled in two eagles and two birdies to move to 7-under and a remarkable fourth place. The galleries also went wild and got a Tiger fist pump on the final hole. The sound of galleries going crazy across a golf course when Tiger rolls in an eagle is a sweet sound to the ears of a golf fan.

Robert Allenby nails a spectator on the head

There were a few anxious moments on Friday after Robert Allenby nailed a spectator on the head with his drive. He got a signed ball for his trouble and I hope he is recovering well. It was a nasty incident and a good reminder to all the hazards of being a golf fan.

The Allenby enigma

Robert Allenby can seem like an angry man at times on course but his work off the course is in complete contrast. The work he does for kids with cancer is extraordinary and he was no less giving with his time on the weekend signing plenty of autographs and chatting to anyone who was willing. The photo on the right was taken after the final round with the media surrounding Tiger's final interview in the background. Nice work Bob.

Sergio had his shoes stolen

It was claimed to be one of the best tournament fields ever assembled in Australia with Sergio Garcia an Camilo Villegas added to the mix. But with many Aussies missing including Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Mat Goggin and Rod Pampling it was wishful thinking. Our guests were great value though. Villegas was intense but extremely likable and Garcia was the happiest bloke on course even after his shoes were stolen. He charmed everyone and added his support to the rumours of the US PGA Tour coming to Australia.

Appleby's call of nature

Stuart Appleby was keeping warm on the practice range expecting a playoff when news came through of his victory. He thought it was a good moment to take a leak but found himself running to the presentation after hearing his name called to don the gold jacket.

Photo: AFP

Related Australian Masters posts
Tiger roars and hints he'll be back
Appleby claims Australian Masters
Embracing the Masters
Live final round blogging

Adam Scott wins $1milllion in Singapore

Adam Scott. Source AP

Adam Scott chose to play the Singapore Open on the weekend and was in fantastic form, winning the Singapore Open for a third time.

The tournament boasted a winner's cheque of US$1million and Scott maintained a lead for most of the tournament eventually finishing with a birdie on the last for his second victory this year.

The big question
Do we forgive him for missing the Australian Masters?

I propose a new rule for Australian golf. If you play in competing tournaments to the Australian Masters, Australian Open and Australian PGA, you must donate 50% of your winnings the tournament prize pool next year.

Night golf

One of the biggest drawback's of the game of golf is the increasing length of time it takes to play the game. golf courses around large cities have become choked up as clubs do their best to cram as many golfers on to the course at once.

With this in mind, perhaps night golf is the way to go. The photos below come courtesy of Golf To Impress and show images of Moon Lake golf course in Mobara, Japan. The pictures look stunning and you can see more at the Golf To Impress website.

There is a floodlit golf course on the Gold Coast if I'm not mistaken. Has anyone played it? What is it like?

Appleby claims Australian Masters crown

Stuart Appleby after winning the 2010 Australian Masters. Source: Getty Images

Stuart Appleby has won his first tournament in Australia in nine years after coming from way back to win the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Club.

Appleby began the final round seven shots behind leader Adam bland but fired a 6-under 65 as Bland faltered to claim the golf jacket by one shot. Appleby said he used some of the experience he gained when he shot 59 in a US PGA Tour event a few months ago to shoot enough birdies to put the pressure on the leaders.

It was a tragic end to the tournament by Daniel Gaunt and Adam Bland who had done little wrong prior to the final nine holes. Gaunt's hopes disappeared with a poor putt up the slope on 16 which saw his ball come back down the steep slope. Bland was leaking shots and needed to attack the final two par-5's to force a playoff. He opted for an iron on 17 which only resulted in a par. His eagle putt on the last was always below the hole.

Bland flies back to the US tonight to play in the PGATour Q-School event in order to try and gain his PGA Tour card. Six consecutive rounds hoping to finish in the Top 25 awaits.

Stuart Appleby drives home with a brand new gold jacket and a confidence boosting win on home soil.

Tiger finally roars and hints he'll be back in 2011

It took 66 holes of golf before Tiger Woods reminded Australia, and the world, of what he was once capable of at the JBWere Australian Masters. Using a putter usually reserved for practice, he managed to make up six shots over the final six holes to finish in fourth place and his best finish of the year.

The final six holes had the gallery roaring and included two eagles, including the fist pumping one on the last hole. It left the crowds buoyant and itching to see more of the former world number one. As expected, he was asked if he may return next year. Given the correct timing of the Australian Masters and the President's Cup in Melbourne, it sounds like the jungle cat will be back down under in 2011.

Australian Masters: Round 4

5:25pm
Stuart Appleby has won the Australian Masters for the first time. Adam Bland must be gutted after leading for most of the tournament. He just needed to attack 17 and playing an iron off the tee was a little conservative.
Great final round by Apples though and a thoroughly deserved winner.
The rain is about to set in and fans are running for the exits.

It has been a great week with plenty of highlights. I'll be sure to cover them all next week.
Thanks to everyone for following and for the tweets.
Signing off from Victoria Golf Cub.

4:35pm
This tournament has been turned on it's head. Stuart Appleby has birdied the last two holes to finish at 10-under. Currently a two shot lead.
Daniel Gaunt and Adam Bland have fallen away. Bland two shots behind at -8.

4pm
Daniel Gaunt is now tied for the lead with Adam Bland at -9! Appleby just missed a birdie to stay one back.
Did someone say playoff?

3:50pm
Tiger went crazy in the final fuv holes and finishes -7. Silly chance of a playoff? I'd say no. Too many birdie chances coming in.
Interesting to watch the media frenzy while Robert Allenby signed autographs and mingle with kids. He is the enigma of Australian golf.

2:50pm
Bland drops a shot to move back to -10. Appleby with an easy tap in for birdie to move to -8!
Things getting interesting.

2:40pm
Massive eagle for Tiger. Crowd goes bananas. First time this week the crowd has been able to let out a real Tiger roar. Suddenly, he moves into 6th position at -4.
Adam Bland has dropped a shot to move back to -11 but has a comfy 4 shot cushion right now.

2:25pm
Distinct lack of birdies from everyone bar Stuart Appleby is a little strange. The course has softened and there's very little breeze. Adam Bland now five shots in front and would be a remarkable victory and the first golfer with a beard to don the gold jacket.

1:05pm
These guys tell me their clubs are sponsored by KMart.


12:55pm
No one maing any huge run yet. Adam Bland off soon. Perfect conditions for making birdies.

11:25am


10:55am
Massive crowd here today. Fantastic atmosphere.
Pin in the first tucked right in behind front right bunker. Big birdie opportunity all the same as Michael Campbell just proved.

9:45am
Looks like a great day for golf. Overcast but very little wind at the moment. Good for birdies. I'm thinking a charge may come from Appleby.

Australian Masters: Round 3

5:00pm
No public parking tomorrow. Cars have torn up the grassy parklands and they will be closed tomorrow. Probably best to take public transport. Check Australian Masters website for more details.

4:50pm 

Adam Bland doing his best to extend the lead but Stolz stays with him. 

Merchandise tent has been popular today. Great bit of shelter from the rain.

4:10pm

Tiger has finished a tough day on course with an even par round. Stays at 1-under for the tournament.

Melbourne boy Stuart Appleby has adapted to the hometown conditions like a duck to water. Now in outright 3rd.

South Aussie Adam Bland still two shots clear at 10-under.

3:45pm

Miraculous recovery from Sergio. Tiger's irons are ordinary today.

Adam Bland leads by 2-shots now. Holding strong.

2:00pm

Rain set in. More talk of suspending play.

12:50pm
Tiger on course. Sergio on the range.

11:55am

Word has it that our leader, South Aussie Adam Bland has a flight back to the US for Q-School Sunday night, to attempt to get his 2011 PGATour card. Heaps good.

11:00am

Rain slowed to a drizzle for the moment but this will test golfers, course drainage, fans and meat pie supplies in the Masters Village.

10:00am

Wet. There's talk of 24 hours of continuous rain. Melbourne weather.

Embracing the Masters

A lot of people make a lot of sacrifices in order to make a large golf tournament run smoothly. From course marshall's to those directing cars to the car park, many have given up their time for free to ensure the Australian Masters runs smoothly.

The Cheltenham Golf Club sits right next door to the Victoria Golf Club and the course has been converted into a car park for the week. Club members and staff have embraced the inconvenience with a smile and the club has a range of Masters specials for membership and casual golf. I caught up with Australia's own Tony Blair from Cheltenham Golf Club today to see how they're coping.

Australian Masters: Round 2

6:45pm
That was a fascinating day of golf. Adam Bland's round was fantastic and leads by two shots. Sergio Garcia's round also phenomenal in the conditions.
Cut set at +3. Robert Allenby scrapes in!
Round 3 tee times have been released.
Scores after round 2.

4:30pm
Just caught up with the guys at Cheltenham Golf Club concerning their golf course being used as a car park for the Australian Masters. Taking it all in their stride with a smile. Video to come.

3:25pm
The wind is still strong and hot. All bars on course getting a huge work out.
Robert Allenby just nailed a spectator on the head who was taken away dazed, but seemingly ok, to hospital. Bob gave him a signed ball for his troubles. They may both have their feet up on the weekend.

2:00pm
I'm not so sure the hype has waned this year. Crowd around Tiger is massive.




12:30pm
To be honest, Sergio looked happy enough on course yesterday. Today, he's positively gleaming. Great round.

11:00am
Back on course folks and the weather is hot and steamy. That could be the end of the good weather, rain on its way. There'll be a wet jungle cat on course this afternoon.

Live blogging, Australian Masters: Round 1

5:30pm
Fans generally looking knackered. Hot day out there and the afternoon was more benign that expected. Morning tomorrow may have the last of the good conditions. After that. good luck.

4:30pm
Slight drama on 16. Brad Kennedy realised he put another ball down after he'd marked his ball. He had addressed the 'other' ball but as he had not played the ball, it was not in play.
A lesson to us all - don't have two balls in your pocket.

3:20pm
In case you were wondering what Tiger will be wearing on Sunday.


1:20pm
Always feel a little dejected seeing the great Michael Campbell play. Wondering if he has fallen further than Ian Baker-Finch did?

12:20pm
Best story today is Alistair Presnell recounting the day he carried the scoreboard around Hungdale for Ernie Els.

11:27am
Alistair Presnell fires a 6-under to lead. His ability to come back from last year's heartbreak on just missing his PGA Tour card is brilliant.

Journos unhappy that Tiger may not do a press conference today.

11:11
Bugle reverberates across Victoria Golf Club as a mark of respect for Rememberance Day. Right in the middle of Alistair Presnell's pitch shot.

Live Scoring: Australian Masters

Here's the best link to the live scoring for the JBWere Australian Masters. An iPhone app would have been nice with loads of people on course continually asking each other who is leading.

JBWere Australian Masters live scoring

Sanity restored at Australian Masters

It is safe to say the pro-am day at the Australian Masters is a little different from last year. Walking into the Victoria Golf Club was a walk in the park. Indeed, for a moment I felt like it was one with the atmosphere more like a family picnic for the claustrophobic. A world away from the mayhem of last year’s opening round by Tiger Woods.

Channel Nine had put their helicopters away and Tiger Woods was strolling the fairways chatting with Gary Ablett and a hundred or so people following with clear views of the former world number one. 

It felt more like a day for the real golf fans. Golfers are mingling with fans at the practise fairway, Stuart Appleby is retelling some enthralling, amusing golf story to his amateur playing partners; and a kid, barely ten years old is walking around with his junior sized golf bag on a cart.

Tiger Woods. Smiling at today's press conference.

It is a nice feeling to see some sanity restored to Australian golf. Even Tiger seems a little more grounded and more approachable. His usual ‘straight uphill putt’ press conferences was a little more enlightening today as he related his indecision to undertake his fourth swing change in his professional career. 

Amateur golfers can also take something from his talk of practice sessions. He was reluctant to take on the swing change given all the hard work and practise sessions ahead of him but he was nostalgic recalling practise sessions with his Dad in the late evening. “Practising isn’t always hitting hundreds of balls. Sometimes it’s playing three or four holes”. 

I can’t help but feel the majority of the media missed the most interesting interview though with Camilo Villegas chatting soon after. Arriving for a press conference after Tiger Woods is like Mumford and Sons playing after U2 but he thrilled nonetheless and ensured us the ‘Spider’ will emerge if there’s any seemingly straight putts this week.

Given the rolling nature of the Victoria Golf Club greens, we may not see much of the ‘Spider’ but but with sanity restored it’s going to be a great golf week for the fans. A walk in the park, if you will. 

Australian Masters: What you need to know

The 2010 JBWere Australian Masters is being held the Victoria Golf Club this week, nestled in the heart of Melbourne's famous sandbelt golf courses. Here's the low down on what you need to know for the week.

Official Website
TV Times
Round 1 tee times

Who can win?
Of the big names featured on the tournament promotion poster, Tiger Woods is the best chance to win it. He's building towards a win but don't rule out Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Allenby. Ogilvy spent many junior days as a member of  Victoria Golf Club and Allenby has some form coming towards the end of the year. Honestly, I can't see Sergio Garcia winning this week and Camilo Villegas's form is horrible.


History
First event: 1979. Current champion: Tiger Woods

Course
Victoria Golf Club - Course Tour
The first time the Victoria Golf Club has held this event but is in the famous sandbelt region of Melbourne.

Buy Tickets

Round 1 tee times for Australian Masters

Round 1 tee times for the JBWere Australian Masters have been released. I've highlighted the marquee groups below. Don't forget FoxSports have fantastic coverage of the whole event starting at 7am Thursday morning!

Round 1 highlights - Thursday 11 November 
Morning, 10th tee
7:03 Geoff Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby, Matthew Griffin
7:27 Tiger Woods, Robert Allenby, Brett Rumford

Afternoon, 1st tee
12:10 Camilo Villegas, Michael Sim, Greg Chalmers
12:34 Sergio Garcia, Craig Parry, Jin Jeong

Australia on the US PGA Tour schedule?

The Herald-Sun is reporting that the US PGA Tour is considering adding Australia to its schedule. If true, this would be the biggest ever shake up of Australian professional golf which has always lacked enough prize money to make the long flight worthwhile.

If the report by Mark Hayes is to be believed, the competing Aussie dollar and the willingness of the US PGA Tour to expand into the Asian market make an Australian tournament a viable option. In particular, the Australian Masters.

The US TV market is a huge consideration for the PGA Tour where much of its revenue is made in association with large sponsorships. Any Australian tournament would be telecast live well outside of prime time viewing in the US so it would seem the Asian golf market is the target audience if this is serious.

There has been much made of the appearance fee to lure Tiger Woods to Australia and the Victorian Government has done its best to justify the investment. They've continued to spruik the huge knock on effect to the local economy and Golf Australia have reported an increase in golf participation. 

It may seem that the full effect on Australian golf and the local economy is yet to be fully realised.

Australian Masters pro-am draw released

The pro-am event before a tournament is despised by many professionals but it is vital for sustaining large sponsors. It was at the pro-am event at the JBWere Australian Masters last year that many fans got their first close up look at Tiger Woods.

The draw for the pro-am has been released with Tiger off the first tee in the morning with a shotgun start at 7:15am. There are plenty of wealthy, wannabe golfers in the field but also a smattering of celebrities including Ian Baker-Finch who falls into both categories these days. Maybe Tiger does too.

Group highlights:
7:15am draw - shotgun start
1st tee: Tiger Woods and three blokes that work at JBWere
8th: Greg Chamlmers, Kerri-Anne Kennerley
10th: Peter O'Malley, Shane Warne, Ian Baker-Finch and Brendan Goddard

12:30pm draw - shotgun start
9th: Chris Gaunt, Dean Jones, Archie Thompson
10th: Andre Stolz, Sir Ian Botham, Allan Border

Aussie Golfer at the Australian Masters

Aussie Golfer will be down in Melbourne this week covering the JBWere Australian Masters. In the same vein as this website, I'll try to give you a view of the tournament that you might not necessarily read in the newspapers.

I'll be blogging on the website and you can also follow live updates via AussieGolfer on Twitter. Come and say hi if your at the Masters or have your say online and let me know if there is something I should be focussing on!

And of course, don't forget the Aussie Golfer Facebook fanpage as well!

2010 Australian Masters on TV

All four rounds of the 2010 Australian Masters are live on FoxSports and Channel Nine here in Australia this week. FoxSports will also be live streaming online all the action from the 16th hole at Victoria Golf Club.

FoxSports
Thursday 11th November 7am - 5:30pm
Friday 12th November 7am - 5:30pm
Saturday 13th November 12:30pm - 5:30pm
Sunday 14th November 12:30pm - 5:30pm

Channel NineThursday 11th November 12:30pm - 5:30pm

Friday 12th November 12:00pm - 5:30pm

Saturday 13th November 12:30pm - 5:30pm

Sunday 14th November 12:30pm - 5:30pm

If you're looking to listen on the radio or streaming on the internet I'd recommend SEN Radio who will no doubt have excellent coverage of all rounds.

If you're in the USA, where the Golf Channel graces your TV, you'll see live coverage from 10pm each night. You'll get no sympathy from us Aussies though who are used to watching golf in those sort of times.

Favourable Lie - new Bundy Rum ad

This advertisement for Bundaberg Rum has created a bit of a stir. Mainly for its apparant treatment of a crocodile. I thought it was worth posting with its golf reference. Their response to the complaints is added below.

More golf ads
FedEx golf ad
Reebok Pump with Greg Norman
Tiger returns

John Daly played better drunk

Buried among the golf news this week was the confession from John Daly that he played better golf while he was drunk.

Daly has just released a new book titled "Out of the Rough" and is becoming frustrated with the state of his golf game despite more and more practise. When asked what he has learned in an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Daly looked back on days with the drink with an air of nostalgia:

"That I was happy when I was a miserable drunk. I played better when I was drunk," he said.

Daly paused, smiled half a smile and gently shook his head.

"I don't know," he said. "Sometimes you point your finger at yourself. You can only point your finger at yourself so many times. You look back at yourself and write the pros and cons of your life and the pros outweigh the cons.

"I look at myself and I'm not that bad a guy. I always thought I was the reason the divorces came. I look back and it takes two to do that. It wasn't all my fault. I played a part in it but I can't keep blaming myself for everything."

It is tempting to joke here with something along the lines of "Who hasn't!?", but Daly was in a pretty bad way and the thought of him regressing to play better golf is not one we want to see.

H/T WeiUnderPar

Enticing scenarios at the Australian Masters

The slower than expected ticket sales for next week's Australian Masters in Melbourne has surprised me. Tiger Woods's form and shenanigans may have put a few people off attending but from a purely golf point of view, the possible outcomes at Victoria Golf Club are much more enticing than last year.

Here are a few scenarios...

Tiger wins

Tiger Woods winning in 2009

Woods wants to win more than last year despite his appearance fee once again dwarfing the winners cheque.  While not a field you'd expect at a major tournament, it would bring massive confidence for Woods and naysayers will be forced to swallow their words. Tiger dressed in the gold jacket on Sunday afternoon would be much bigger news than last year and the Victorian Government would again have a grin from ear to ear.

Melbourne weather wins

Melbourne can dish up anything but with rain resembling the great flood over the past week, let's bank on at least some showers. We won't see the great gallery dust bowls following Tiger's movements on course like last year, but there will be plenty of fans shielding their VB's from the rain.

Robert or Geoff wins

Aussies always seem to start the PGA Tour year well after good form at home. These three need a win and if they get close, there will be plenty of noise down the stretch. Allenby winning would lead to a comment on the appearance fee of a golfer he just beat, and an Ogilvy victory would mean he could properly forget St.Kilda's Grand Final defeat (which he travelled half way around the would to witness).

Cigar Guy turns up

This will happen. I'm sure of it. Maybe not original Cigar Guy but an equally ridiculous Aussie version. Who is Cigar Guy?

Sergio wins

(Muffled laughter) Sergio has looked everywhere for his golf game, except Australia. He found a scrap of it last week in Spain with a Top 10 finish and a victory would bring a tear to Spanish eyes. He is a favourite down under despite his absence and Aussies will get on board this Spanish train is he looks close to victory on Sunday. A win would restart his career.

Camilo wins

Golf clubs across Australia will be inundated with women looking to take up the game.

HSBC Champions on Australian TV

There is a seriously good golf tournament being played right now at a perfect hour for Australian golf fans. FoxSports are showing all four rounds of the World Golf Championship HSBC Champions event live.

The world's top golfers are in Shanghai, Tiger Woods wants his #1 ranking back and there are nine Aussies in the field. All at the perfect time for Australian viewing. What more could you want?

 Thursday, Friday (4th, 5th Nov):  3:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, Sunday (6th, 7th Nov): 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Preferred Lies: Don't be an idiot

It is always a useful exercise to learn from the best. When it comes to golf, it is wise to learn from the professionals, and in this particular case, learn from their mistakes. All 26 of them.

Japanese golfer, Ryuji Imada plays on the PGA Tour where the rules allow a one club length placement of the ball on the fairway when preferred lies are in place. On the weekend he was playing in a pro-celebrity tournament in China under Asian Tour rules where you are only allowed to place the ball within the length of one scorecard.

He had been playing under the PGa Tour rules before his playing partner Danny Lee pointed out the error on the 12th hole. Imada calculated he had broken the rules around 13 times and was given 13 two-shot penalties; 26 in total. At the end of the round he finished 24-over, 26 shots off the lead.

Imada mentioned after his round that he had failed to read the local rules sheet and summed up the situation, "I"m an idiot".

Don't be an idiot. Read the local rules.

More rules of golf
Can I practice my putting during my round?
The sprinkler head

Lee Westwood, the world's #1 golfer

World number one, Lee Westwood

At home nursing a calf injury, Lee Westwood has found himself perched atop the world golf rankings. His form over the past two years has been better than Tiger Woods which means, according to the official world golf rankings, he is now the number one golfer in the world.

Tiger Woods' reign of 281 weeks at the top has come to an end but do the rankings lie? Or do they even matter? Given Westwood is still yet to win a major, many golf fans still believe Woods is still the world's best golfer but it is hard to argue with Westwood's form particularly in the latter half of this year.

Woods will have an opportunity to regain top spot this week at the WGC HSBC Champions event in Shanghai where not only is Westwood playing but all this year's major winners.

Here's the current Top 10 from the official world golf rankings:

1  Lee Westwood,  Eng  8.29
2  Tiger Woods,  USA  8.13
3  Martin Kaymer,  Deu  7.98
4  Phil Mickelson,  USA  7.83
5  Steve Stricker,  USA  7.2
6  Jim Furyk,  USA  7.09
7  Paul Casey,  Eng  6.14
8  Luke Donald,  Eng  5.7
9  Rory McIlroy,  Nir  5.44
10  Graeme McDowell,  Nir  5.43

Eagle gives Kennedy his first win in 14 years

Brad Kennedy. Image source

This story is too good for Aussie Golfer not to mention. One of the good guys of the Australasian golf circuit has broken through for his first victory in 14 years.

Brad Kennedy made eagle on 18 to win the WA Open yesterday to secure his Australiasian Tour card for another year, take home a huge trophy and get a relatively large monkey off his back.

Video: Interview with Brad Kennedy

On any professional golf tour the difference between winning and missing a cut is small. After 14 years of trying to win, Kennedy credits a year of physical training for his recent success. "I’ve been working hard physically off the course over the last 12 months and that has been the major turning point in my career."

The tournament also saw the re-emergence of Stephen Leaney. After injury forced him off the PGA Tour he has settled back in Australia and only playing a few golf tournaments. He finished fourth, showing signs of the form that saw him play on the world's best golf tours for more than a decade and almost win the US Open in 2003.

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