Eclectic mix of countries chasing Australian Open title
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen – enjoying one of many holes putts today – image Golf Australia
Five different countries are represented amongst the leading eight players heading into tomorrow’s final round of the Crown Australian Open, with seven of that group chasing a first Australian Open title.
The odd man out is Adam Scott, who is looking to add a second Australian Open to his two Australian Masters and two Australian PGA Championships, but the chances of a first-time winner of the event and yet another foreigner in tomorrow’s intriguing battle are high.
Foreigners have won the last three Australian Opens and seven of the last ten, only Matt Jones (twice) and Cameron Davis breaking that trend.
Tomorrow, however, Cam Smith, Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee are all within four shots of the lead, Smith in a share of second place with Mexican Carlos Ortiz and Korea’s Si Woo Kim and all four appear more than capable of claiming what would for them be a dream Australian Open victory, given the venue and the standing of a revitalised event.
The leader at 14 under par and two clear of the field is 26 year old Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen whose round of 66 was one of eight rounds of 66 or better in today’s third round and chasing his first win on the DP World Tour, a victory would not only give him such a significant title on an iconic golfing layout but a start in next year’s Masters and Open Championship.
The former Oklahoma State attendee during his collegiate playing career in the US, Neergaard-Petersen took a share of the lead into today’s third round and after an outward nine of 32, he turned the screws with birdies on the 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th to break two clear but with so many credentialed players within striking distance, he has a big task tomorrow to hold on.
“Yeah, I felt like I stayed true to my plan all week, which has been to stay patient,” said the leader.
“Obviously it’s not really what you want there on the fifth (where he three putted), I’ve had a great shot in there and walking away with a four, obviously stung a bit, but I felt like I was able to kind of calm myself down and then from there on in, I felt like I played some really good golf and obviously really happy with the finish. I’ve been able to finish well here over the last couple of events, even in rounds, so it’s nice to finish off well today.”
Cam Smith – Can his local fans get him across the line tomorrow? image Golf Austraia
Cam Smith overcame his missed cut in Brisbane last week to record a round of 66 today, and, in second place, he has a great chance to add an Australian Open Championship to his three Australian PGA Championships.
Smith suggested after his round that he had not played all that well, but it was good enough for him to be very much one of the favourites tomorrow.
“Yeah, I feel like I definitely didn’t have my best stuff today,” said the Queenslander. “I definitely didn’t hit it like I hit it the first couple of days, but still managed to get a score out of it and working my way around the course nicely. Yeah, so it was good to see a couple of putts go in.
“It’s just nice being in contention. It’s been a while since I’ve had this feeling, to be honest. So yeah, I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I love that it’s here. I love that it’s at Royal Melbourne. I love that it’s the Australian Open. I couldn’t think of a better place to get back into form.”
Si Woo Kim might not be getting the attention of others this week but there is little doubt about his pedigree, having won the Players Championship and three other titles on the PGA Tour. His round of 65 was the equal second-best of the day, and his well-established credentials might make him a very hard man to beat tomorrow.
Kim is playing Royal Melbourne for the first time this week, but is enjoying getting to know the layout better each day.
“My first time playing the course was Wednesday, so I don’t even know where I have to hit it. So Thursday even my caddie’s first time here too, so we get to know better, better and then now I know how to, I mean I know where it’s going, so at least, so I think that helps especially tomorrow.”
New Zealander, Daniel Hillier, and Australians Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott carry the hopes of the Australasians should Smith falter and although four from the lead, that could vanish in a heartbeat tomorrow, and they might well be right in the mix late in the day.
Rory McIlroy has likely given himself too much to do, being nine from the lead and seven from second place, but his round of 68 today after a double bogey gave hope to his many thousands of fans (31,000 at the course today) that they might yet see something special from the world number two tomorrow.
McIlroy’s presence in the event has revived the Australian Open into being the championship it deserves to be, and he will carry the hopes of a strong final day to finish off an outstanding contribution to the game in Australia.
Sure, he has been paid a lot of money to be here this year and next, but given what he has done for the event to date, he has been worth every bit of it.
