By Mark Hayes/Golf Australia Organisation
HE IS our Masters hero, a past Stonehaven Cup champion, a multiple winner on the 2016 US PGA Tour – and Adam Scott is coming back to the Emirates Australian Open.
Golf Australia Organisation today confirmed Scott, 36, would tee it up in the nation’s most prestigious tournament from November 17-20 at Royal Sydney Golf Club.
One of Australia’s all-time great players, the world No.8 has had no fewer than 15 top-10 finishes in major championships and continues to thrive with two wins in the United States already this year, including the World Golf Championship at Doral in March.
Scott is ranked third in the FedEx Cup race and, alongside compatriot Jason Day and 2014 champ Jordan Spieth, is already the third player in the world’s top 10 to join the field for what promises to be a classic national championship.
“The Australian Open has always been a tournament I value highly, Sydney is a great city and I have fond memories of Royal Sydney as a great venue for championship golf,” Scott said.
“I am really looking forward to competing to win my second Stonehaven Cup in November.”
Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt welcomed Scott to the field with open arms.
“Adam has been a regular at his national championship over the years and he always seems to bring his A-game,” Pitt said.
“We look forward to seeing him play again and we know that the crowds appreciate not only his golf, but the way he carries himself. He’s an immensely popular figure and a great ambassador for the sport in this country.”
The Queenslander won the Emirates Australian Open at New South Wales Golf Club in 2009, eclipsing the field by five shots.
He has been incredibly close to a second Stonehaven Cup in each of the past three years, finishing fifth in 2014 and joint runner-up last year on top of a memorable last visit to Royal Sydney in 2013.
The Queenslander duelled all the way with multiple major champion Rory McIlroy, who eventually prevailed on the final green in front of a huge gallery.
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said Scott was always a welcome visitor.
“Adam is a local favourite and a past champion, and I can’t wait to see him tee it up at Royal Sydney in November for the Australian Open,” Ayres said.
“He’s already won twice on the US PGA Tour this season and will be bringing this good form to Sydney to take on Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and a host of other top local and international golfers.
“The Australian Open has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. I encourage all sports fans to make plans to get to Sydney from 17-20 November and see this incredible line-up of players at one of Australia’s top courses.”
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 the Seven Network.
Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek at www.ticketek.com or by calling 132 849.
The 2016 Emirates Australian Open will be played at the Royal Sydney Golf Club from November 17-20.
Website: http://www.ausopengolf.com/
