Australian Open: Jordan Spieth, Geoff Ogilvy think amateur could win
Curtis Luck at the 2016 U.S. Amateur
(USGA Photo)
ROSE BAY, Australia (November 16, 2016) -- It hasn't happened since 1999 when Aaron Baddeley accomplished the feat but some players think an amateur could win the Australian Open this year. Speaking the day before the event tees off at Royal Sydney Golf Club major winners Jordan Spieth and Geoff Ogilvy stated that they think this could be the year an an amateur breaks through.
When play begins Thursday morning 13 amateurs will be in the field including reigning U.S. Amateur and Asia-Pacific Amateur winner Curtis Luck, recent Queensland Open winner Brett Coletta and Harrison Endycott this seasons Porter Cup victor.
“With the caliber of amateur golf in Australia you put an (a) next to their name and all it means is that they are not going to get paid. It doesn’t mean there’s going to be a difference in performance this week whatsoever," Spieth said during his Wednesday press conference. "If Curtis (Luck) is in contention I’m not going to think this is a walk in the park. Instead, I’m going to think he’s going to play very fearless and it actually could be more difficult."
Three of the amateurs --Curtis Luck, Connor Syme and Brett Coletta-- will be part of the Australian Open's marquee groups.
Australian and 2006 U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy, who will play with Speith and Luck said of the group of amateurs, “They are so good now, aren’t they? It’s incredible."
“I think the coaching and the whole thing of preparing a guy to get on tour is much better than it used to be, and it was really good when I did it, but it’s clearly a lot better now. Golf Australia is much more on the same page with the golfers."
ABOUT THE
Australian Open
The Australian Open is Golf Australia's National Open
Men's Championship, and is sanctioned by the
Australian
PGA Tour and forms part of the ONEASIA series of
events. Many of Australia's top amateurs qualify for
the
event.
View Complete Tournament Information