By Golf Australia Organisation
WORLD golf’s hottest property Jason Day will play this year’s Emirates Australia Open.
The world No.1 will seek his first national title to add to the sport’s most glittering resume of the past year, including his first major championship triumph.
As tickets go on sale around the country for the November 17-20 event at Royal Sydney Golf Club, 28-year-old Day said he couldn’t wait for his chance to engrave his name on the time-honoured Stonehaven Cup.
“The Australian Open holds a special spot in my heart and I’d love to get my name on that trophy one day – hopefully this November,” Day said.
“Injuries and family commitments have made it impossible for me a couple of times lately, but it’s a tournament I’ve always cherished, just as I know some of the sport’s greats have through the years.”
Day has been close to Open glory on his two previous attempts, having finished T6 behind Rory McIlroy at Royal Sydney in 2013 and T4 behind dual champion Greg Chalmers at The Lakes in 2011.
“I really enjoyed the Royal Sydney layout in 2013 and it was such a good atmosphere around such a great historic course,” he said.
“I’m sure the crowds will be huge again in November – I can’t wait to come home and give it my best shot.”
New South Wales Minster for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres was excited by Day’s enthusiasm to return to Sydney.
“Jason Day is a superstar of world sport and I am absolutely delighted that he is coming to Sydney for this year’s Australian Open. He will headline a bumper field of local and international stars, playing in Australia’s most prestigious event,” Ayres said.
“The Australian Open has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and I encourage everyone to make plans to get to Royal Sydney from November 17-20. It will be a must-see event for any sports fan.”
Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said Day’s recent achievements were mind-blowing.
“He was in contention at the 2015 US Open before his troubles with vertigo, but ever since then he’s been all but invincible. After his near miss at The Open Championship, his seven wins – including his first major – in 17 subsequent starts represents one of golf’s hottest ever winning streaks,” Pitt said.
“To have a player of that calibre back in Sydney is just something we should all be thrilled with – and to see him so excited to play his national championship again will really help us continue to demonstrate the Emirates Australian Open to be a truly world-class tournament.”
Day’s victory at the 2015 US PGA Championship came on the heels of his Canadian Open victory and was the forerunner to FedEx Cup finals wins at The Barclays and BMW Championship last year. He backed that up this year with wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the WGC World Match Play Championship and the recent Players Championship for his 10th career US PGA Tour victory.
All that has added to Day’s comfortable points lead on the world rankings ahead of the 2013 and 2014 Emirates Australian Open champions, McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, respectively.
The Emirates Australian Open is a flagship tournament on the 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 Channel 7.
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.
