Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby will tee off in next month’s Australian Open along with Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy and Aaron Baddeley, organisers said on Monday.
Organisers, reluctant to go after big-name overseas stars because of the cost of appearance fees, have settled for a strong home field for the national open championship at the Royal Sydney from November 13-19.
Australian golfers have performed well overseas this year with 13 ranked in the top 100, a record number of wins by Australians on the US PGA Tour and Ogilvy winning the US Open.
”With Stuart and Robert on board we have secured a real challenge for the Stonehaven Cup,” organiser Paul McNamee said in a statement on Monday.
”Stuart Appleby has one [Australian Open], Aaron Baddeley and Robert Allenby both have two, Greg Norman has five while Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy really want one.”
Appleby, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour this year, says he is ready to reclaim the Australian Open title.
”The Australian Open is an important focus of all Australian players come the end of the year. I’m proud to be a part of what promises to be a great event,” he said at a media conference to launch the event.
Allenby, who won the Australian Open, PGA Championship and Australian Masters tournaments last year, will be back to defend his Open title.
McNamee said rising US star Sean O’Hair, last year’s rookie of the year and 2005 John Deere Classic winner, will be playing in the event along with four-time US tour winner Bob Estes. – Sapa-AFP