Jordan Spieth has confirmed he will return to defend his Emirates Australian Open title from November 26-29.
Australian Golf Digest’s Playing Editor has become the hottest player on the planet in 2015, claiming both the Masters and US Open titles before narrowly missing out on the British Open at St Andrews and ending his Grand Slam dream.
The 21-year-old played arguably the greatest round in the Australian Open’s storied history last November to win the Stonehaven Cup by six shots. In what is a major coup for Australian golf, Spieth is determined to lift the Stonehaven Cup once again.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to return to Sydney,” said Spieth. “I had a fantastic time in Australia. I can’t wait to come back and hopefully defend the Stonehaven Cup.”
Spieth was ranked 11th in the world when he hoisted the Stonehaven Cup, but after winning the Emirates Australian Open, The Hero World Challenge, The Valspar Championship and The Masters, he reached No.2. His victory in the US Open at Chambers Bay in Washington has him within touching distance of the world No.1, Rory McIlroy.
“It has been an amazing six months since I left Australia,” he said. “Shooting 63 in the final round and winning at The Australian Golf Club was one of the proudest moments of my career. To see my name on the Stonehaven Cup alongside all the champions of the game gave me great confidence.”
Spieth will more than likely be joined by his Aussie coach Cameron McCormick, who is a raging favourite to pick up his first Australian Golf Digest Coach of the Year Award later this year.
Emirates Australian Open tournament director Trevor Herden was delighted with Spieth’s signature.
“Jordan was a massive hit at The Australian last year – nobody who saw him play will forget his final round, in particular,” Herden said.
“But more than just play good golf, Jordan has been a tremendous ambassador for the tournament and has sung its praises in some pretty lofty places since he left, including at Augusta after he won The Masters.
“It’s a great honour to have another major champion in our field – we can’t wait to see Jordan again.”
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said the global attention Spieth would bring was a boon for Sydney and New South Wales.
“We saw how much people gravitated towards Jordan last year and that he spoke so glowingly of his time in our state was a ringing endorsement of all we have to offer,” Baird said.
“We are very keen to welcome Jordan back again in November and hope we can show him another few dazzling jewels of Sydney so he continues to spread the word on our behalf.”
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 for all four days on Channel 7.
Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek at www.ticketek.com or by calling 132 849.
The 2015 Emirates Australian Open will be played at The Australian Golf Club from November 26-29.
