Rory McIlroy hoping to use Australian Open to turn horror year around

RORY McIlroy is hoping to use success in the hotly-contested Australian Open as his springboard out of a horror year and back into the winners' circle in 2014.

Hefty appearance fees have often been the motivation for international stars to cut into holidays and fly down for the Australian summer, but after a winless 2013, McIlroy's drive in Sydney is far more about banking confidence than cash.

The former world no.1 has failed to win a tournament this year after a season plagued with swing problems, an infamous switch to Nike clubs and distracting legal battles swirling around in his business affairs.

But after a recent run of form in the last month, McIlroy said yesterday he'd finally shaken his confidence issues and will look to use an Australian Open featuring elite stars like Adam Scott and Jason Day to display world-beating form again.

"I feel like my game is in good shape. It's probably the best it's been all year, which is nice," McIlroy said.

"I've said for the last couple of months I just wanted to try and finish this season strongly and get some momentum to go in 2014. This would be the perfect place to get that first win of the year and give me a sort of springboard into the next season.

"It would be huge to come to Australia and beat guys of that calibre, especially when they're playing so well. "Adam's been on a great run of form, Jason seems to be playing very well with a victory last week.

"You're going to have to play very well to win or at least get yourself in a position to win, and having guys like that in the field will obviously make it even more special if you do end up lifting the trophy."

McIlroy's sudden fall off the perch has been the subject of talk in golf locker rooms worldwide and even Scott admitted he was surprised the 24-year-old hadn't picked up a title.

"He had such a great year last year, I would have thought he would have won this year but it's just like we said, the game turns around so quick and you're hot and you're cold, and he'll be hot again in no time, that's for sure," Scott said.

"It's surprising, but the year's not over for Rory. He could get two wins before his year's over."

The affable Irishman played to the Australian audience yesterday by aligning with the home team in the Ashes - "anyone but England isn't it?" - but said he wasn't concerned about deflating the party atmosphere around Scott's triple-crown pursuit.

"He's won enough this year," McIlroy joked.

"I'd love to be in the mix on Sunday and at least give myself a chance to take it away from him I guess. He's playing very well. He won the PGA and the Aussie Masters down here and played very well last week at the World Cup so he's a man in form."

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Andre and Zac Stolz set to make history when they tee-off in Australian Open

PARENTS make sacrifices for their kids and Andre Stolz can still remember the club that copped it for his son Zac.

Though his baby boy was only just up on unsteady feet, Stolz took a hacksaw to the graphite shaft of Ping 7-iron and slipped it into Zac's tiny hands.

"Apparently they were worth about $500 a club," Stolz laughs. "I can still remember that club. I cut it down. It went from grip to the head.

"He wouldn't remember but he's seen video of him wobbling around, whacking balls around the backyard."

Eighteen years on, with both Zac and his golf clubs are now fully grown, the sacrifices will pay dividends when the teenager and his Dad make history in the opening round of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney.

Andre and Zac will become only the second father and son to play together in the tournament after Stolz junior won a spot in qualifying on Monday.

Given the genes - and a childhood on the golf circuit - it's not a huge surprise. Andre Stolz is a 25-year tour professional who has played on the PGA Tour, and mum Cathy is a golf pro as well.

"He's beaten me a few times already so its nothing new if it happens again this week," Stolz senior laughed.

"He was always going to play in the Australian Open, whether it was this year or next year or somewhere down the line. We're very proud obviously."

"He hits the ball properly and strong, he has good ball flight and all those things. If he can settle into the round and play his game, he'll be plenty good enough."
Zac, who is set to go to college in the US next year on a scholarship, said the nerves had eased since Monday, but only "fractionally".
"They are still well and truly there. I can't wait to turn up and play," Zac said.
Stolz senior was regarded one of Australia's top talents and won a PGA Tour event in 2004 but chronic wrist injuries hampered his career.
He was set to skip this week's tournament after a recent flare up but Zac's achievement convinced him to play.
The parental pride is obvious, and so too is good-natured competition between the Stolz clan.
"He has one PGA Tour win up on me, so he uses that call all the time," Zac says.
Andre adds: "I have told him he has to pass me on the career money list before he can hang shit on me. He probably will."

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An Adam Scott triple crown would top the lot, Craig Parry says

ADAM Scott tees off at Royal Sydney on Thursday relishing the prospect of completing the most successful summer in the history of Australian golf.

Former champion Craig Parry believes if Scott wins the Australian Open on Sunday to secure a coveted Triple Crown it would be a feat to match anything ever achieved in domestic golf Down Under.

Robert Allen by in 2005 is the only player to have won the Australian Masters, Australian PGA and Australian Open in the same season, but Scott is trying to emulate the rarest of hat-tricks after also combining with Jason Day to clinch the World Cup for Australia at Royal Melbourne on Sunday.

Parry is among an elite group of players also including Greg Norman, Peter Lonard and defending champion Peter Senior to have won all three Australian majors - but it took him 15 years.

"It's hard enough to win once, let alone the next week and now he's trying to win the Australian Open - and that's the big one," Parry said.

"Just the history of it, the great names that have won it, the mystique.

"Scotty's playing fantastic and the fact that he's had all the pressure on him coming back home to Australia and then delivered ... it's one thing to expect and another to do it."

Scott, the 2009 Australian Open champion, admitted joining Allen by in the record books would be a special end to a spectacular season in which the 33-year-old Queen slander become the first Australian to win the Masters at Augusta.

"I'm excited about this week, with the chance to win the Triple Crown," he said.

"There's a lot on the line, a lot to play for. I'm excited about having a go at it."

If a crack at the Triple Crown isn't motivation enough, Scott can also match world No.1 Tiger Woods' five wins for the year. Australia's world No.2 is at Tiger-like odds of $3.50 to win the Open, but Scott will need to outplay dual major winner Rory McIlroy and in-form Day for starters to have any hope of hoisting the Stonehaven Cup for a second time.

Scott is among a dozen former champions in the 156-strong field and not the only one eyeing a milestone victory.

Senior, who last year at 53 became the oldest Australian Open champion in history, is bidding to become the first back-to-back winner since Lonard a decade ago.

And Senior, Lonard, Greg Chalmers and Aaron Baddeley, who won the Open as a teenage amateur at Royal Sydney in 1999, are all striving to join legends Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Norman, Peter Thomson, Carnegie Clark and Norman Von Nada to have reigned at least three times.

"I think it'll be a well-earned victory for whoever ends up on top," Scott said.

Scott had his broomstick putter working a treat during Wednesday's pro-am, his only practice round of the week, notching five straight birdies, and said he couldn't be happier with his game entering the opening round.

"I did roll a few in on the back nine," he said.

"To see a few going in in the pro-am is always good, I think. You set the tone for the week."

Scott, Day and American Kevin Streelman have been grouped together for the first two rounds, while McIlroy is playing alongside Geoff Ogilvy and Matthew Jones.

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Scott seeks to finish tour Down Under in style

World No 2 Adam Scott's victory lap of his home nation draws to a close this weekend, with the US Masters champion bidding to win the Australian Open for a clean sweep of the country's three marquee tournaments.

Australia's first winner at Augusta, Scott has battled exhaustion in a frenetic four-week swing Down Under, where he has won the national PGA and Masters titles in successive weeks before a third place finish at the World Cup on Sunday.

Amid the grind of training, playing, media appearances and sponsor events, Scott has enjoyed showing off his green jacket to fans and given a huge boost to the embattled local tour which has been devoured by the US Tour's new wraparound schedule.

Barring a terrible quintuple-bogey in his opening round at Royal Melbourne last week, which all but dashed his hopes of winning the World Cup, Scott has played impeccable golf on home soil but will be asked for one more special effort at Royal Sydney to clinch the 'triple crown' Down Under.

Compatriot Robert Allenby is the only player to win the Masters, PGA and Open treble in one season, but Scott joked that the 42-year-old had not passed on any tips from his 2005 triumphs.

"I caught up with Rob last night at the function and asked for some advice on how to go about it, but he didn't offer any up," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"I'm left to my own devices this week.

"At the end of last week I was tired and I was tired the last couple of days but I rested," added Scott, who won the 2009 Australian Open.

"That's how you have to balance a schedule when you're playing a little more than usual and I kind of had that in mind, knowing that I was playing four weeks. I've taken the days off where I can in the schedule.

"So today I feel good, kind of energised to get in. It's the Australian Open; it's the last week of the year for me, I want to finish big."

Scott, who edged world No 7 Matt Kuchar to win the Australian Masters, will vie with former world No 1 Rory McIlroy, who has had a barren year blighted by legal troubles and problems with his swing.

The two-time major champion, whose game has suffered since switching sponsorship and equipment to Nike, finished joint fifth at Dubai's DP World Tour Championship and said his game was in the best shape it had been all year.

"I've said for the last couple of months I just wanted to try and finish this season strongly and get some momentum to go in 2014," the Northern Irishman said.

"This would be the perfect place to get that first win of the year and give me a sort of springboard into the next season."

Both Scott and McIlroy will face stiff competition at Royal Sydney from Jason Day, who won the World Cup's individual trophy by two strokes on Sunday and drove Australia to victory in the tournament's team component with Scott.

Day's emotional win at Royal Melbourne was his first in Australia and came after he considered pulling out of the tournament when he learned that eight of his relatives were killed by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

World number 11 Day will be grouped with Scott and world number 43 American Kevin Streelman for the opening two rounds.

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McIlroy mentally drained after tough season

World No 6 Rory McIlroy admitted on Wednesday he is mentally drained from a frustrating season where he is yet to win a tournament, with just two more events to go.

The Northern Irishman has only this week's Australian Open in Sydney followed by the Tiger Woods-hosted World Challenge at Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles next week to break the jinx.

His best finishes this year were runner-up spots in the Valero Texas Open and the recent Korean Open, with the former world No 1 feeling the pace.

"I'm looking forward to a break after playing Tiger's event next week as it's been a long year mentally for me rather than physically," said McIlroy.

"Physically, golf doesn't take that much out of you but mentally it is quite draining.

"And especially for me this year not just being frustrated with my game but having to answer all the questions and come up with reasons why I am not playing well and all that stuff," added the former world No 1.

"But then it's great to be going into the off-season feeling comfortable with my game and knowing that I am on the right track and knowing that I can start the new season strongly.

"So I am excited about that aspect and besides I still have two tournaments left this year and I would love to get a win, whether it is here or in Tiger's event in LA."

McIlroy last played in Sydney at the 2006 Australian Open as an amateur but failed to break 70 on any of the four days to finish well down the field.

"I can remember most of the golf course but then I can't remember much of how I played that week," he said of Royal Sydney, where he will play the opening two rounds with fellow US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and PGA Tour member Matt Jones.

"But it was just nice to get back out there today for the pro-am as it's great shape and hopefully after all the rain I hear they've had in Sydney it will dry out and play the way Royal Sydney should play."

McIlroy wound up his preparations by hosting a clinic for some 250 children, delighting them with an array of shots.

After the enormous scrutiny he faced at the start of the season following his multi-million dollar switch to Nike there was one question he answered without hesitation.

"Are you happy with your decision to switch to Nike?" said the young fan.

McIlroy responded: "It's been a great learning process this year with Nike, and while it did take me a couple of months to get use to the new equipment, it's been great and I could not be happier."

Present on the first tee Wednesday was the famed Claret Jug awarded each year to the winner of golf's oldest Major – the Open Championship.

The Australian Open marks the first of a number of tournaments, including the Irish, French and Scottish Opens, where the top three players among the leading 10, who are not otherwise exempt, will earn a place in the Open Championship.

The initiative by the St Andrews-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club will do away with international qualifying.

The Australian Open also marks the end of the 2013 Australasian Tour with the leading money winner – currently Adam Scott – also gaining exemption to the British Open.

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Top amateurs lay down marker at IGT Centurion

Top South African amateur Christiaan Bezuidenhout pulled within striking distance of second-round pace setter Pieter Kruger, while three-time Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open champion Daniel Slabbert survived the cut in his IGT Tour Race to Q-School debut at Centurion Country Club on Tuesday.

Bezuidenhout and Kruger were both in action in the South African Open Championship last week.

The country’s leading amateur earned automatic exemption, but Kruger was one of 11 IGT regulars among the 16 qualifiers who had to battle for positions at Glendower.

Both players missed the cut, however, but just two days later they are back in the hunt for glory. Bezuidenhout, in particular, wanted to the disappointment behind him by getting back on the horse as quickly as possible.

“I had probably one of my best ball striking weeks at Glendower, but my putter went ice cold,” he said. “I hit every fairway and green for two days solid, but I couldn’t sink a putt over eight feet.

“I just needed to get rid of the disappointment and frustration, and this has done it for me.”

Kruger opened with a six under 66 and added a 70 in his second trip around the 7 328 metre layout in Pretoria to lead at eight-under-par 144.

Bezuidenhout carded a first round 67 and followed with a 71

“I had three great birdies before the turn, but I lost the advantage with bogeys at the third, fifth and seventh holes,” Bezuidenhout said. “I had a plugged lie in the bunker at the par-three and at the other two holes, I hit some wayward shots to the green and paid the price.

“What I would like most on Wednesday is to hand in a bogey-free card in the final round, just to show myself I can do it.”

Meanwhile Slabbert extended his stay in Pretoria after two 77s left him on the cut-line at 10-over-par.

The 22-year-old from Kathu, who lost his leg in a freak trampoline accident as a teenager, has been dominating the disabled golf scene and in April this year, showed up the country’s top amateurs with a tie for seventh in the Highveld Open.

Rae Mackie (70) finished in third on 138, while IGT Race to Q-School Silver Lakes winner Zander Lombard carded a 69 to tie two-time IGT Race to Q-School winner Robbie Lupine (73) at four under.

But for the five bogeys on his card, South Africa’s No 2 ranked Lombard could have been leading after rallying with four birdies and eagles at the par-five first and 12th holes.

Former Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur champion Iliska Verwey will also join the final round action after rounds of 75 and 74, while the low round of the day was a trio of 68s from professionals James Searson, Otto van Greunen and Brenden de Lange, another Race to Q-School winner this season.

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WGSA presents Future Champions Junior Clinic

Former Nomads SA Girls champion Michaela Fletcher from Maritzburg Golf Club is looking forward to imparting her skills to young aspirant golfers in a Future Champions Junior Clinic on Sunday, 1 December.

But first, the KZN No 1 ranked junior will lead a field of her top ranked peers in her junior golf swansong at the KZN Junior Nomads Championship at Selborne Country Club this weekend.

The 2012 Sanlam Cancer Challenge champion turns 18 on Boxing Day and hopes to finish her junior golf career on a high note in her home province.

However, Fletcher knows she could be in for a tough challenge against the in-form 15-year-olds, Kaleigh Telfer from Bryanston Country Club and Ivanna Samu from Ruimsig.

“Kaleigh beat Kim Williams for the Mpumalanga Championship title just over a week ago, so she will be bringing some great form and Ivanna took fourth place in the same event,” said Fletcher.

“Meanwhile I have been stuck behind the books, preparing for my final exams. I am definitely feeling a little rusty. There are also a lot of other top KZN girls lining up, too. I will definitely have my job cut out if I hope to leave the junior circuit with a bang.”

The Future Champions Junior Clinic will be held on Sunday, 1 December, following the 54-hole stroke play championship this weekend.

The clinic will be conducted by Womens Golf South Africa’s Elite Squad coaches, Val Holland and Anna Becker, at the Lynton Hall Driving Range across the way from Selborne.

Holland, who also coaches South Africa’s top professional player, Lee-Anne Pace, explained that the clinic will cover the basics of the short game, including putting, chipping and bunker play.

“Our clinics are aimed at growing the game and giving our juniors the skills to improve,” Holland said.

“We will teach the players the fundamentals of chipping, putting and bunker play and then we teach them how to practice.

“Then we do skills testing and each girl attending the clinic, will receive a practice programme in hard copy to take away. We use the exact same system we use for our Elite Squad players, so the juniors will really be able to compare themselves with our top players, see where they rate and how they can approve.

“If there are any girls out there who would like to try their hand at golf, come and join us at Lynton Hall Driving Range from 08h00 to 13h00. The clinic is free of charge and it is suitable for all handicaps. You just have to be born in 1995 or later.”

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SA pair primed for Albatross in India

Two of the country’s top junior golfers will be flying the flag for South Africa in the 5th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship India, which tees off at the Jaypee Greens Golf Club in Delhi on Wednesday.

South Africa has enjoyed a strong performance in India since the country’s debut in 2010 and Boland’s Bianca Theron and Cara Gorlei from the Western Province are hoping to equal the success of Lara Weinstein and Izel Pieters, who won the team competition that year.

That year Weinstein also won the individual competition and Pieters finished third. Twelve months later, KwaZulu-Natal’s Michaela Fletcher took third in the individual competition.

Gorlei finished second in the individual competition last year, while compatriot Magda Kruger took third and the pair combined for a second place in the team competition.

This season, Gorlei racked up seven top five and 13 top 10 finishes on the junior circuit, as well as three top five and seven top 10s at senior level and a tie 10th at the RB German Junior in Germany.

The 17-year-old from Milnerton Golf Club is keen to finish the season with more success in India.

“I really enjoyed my first trip to India last year and I was happy to finish second, but this year Bianca and I are aiming for the top,” she said. “It would be a great result for South Africa if we could finish the season with two victories in the final international championship and we are going to give it every effort this week.”

Theron ascended to the No 1 spot in the junior rankings last year. The 17-year-old has kept her spot with four top five finishes, including a tie for third at the KeNako World Junior Championship. She also won the Southern Cape Championship and posted nine top five finishes to vault to sixth in the senior standings. Theron also represented South Africa on the international stage, and will be drawing on this experience to bring home to silverware.

“I think any opportunity to compete internationally is invaluable,” said Theron, who represented South African at the Annika Invitational or the Girls British Amateur. “I didn’t perform all that well, but I learned a lot about course management, focus and planning and will use that experience this week.”

Gorlei agreed, saying: “I definitely know what to expect this year in India in terms of the weather conditions, the course and the competition,” she said. “Mentally I am far better prepared for the challenge.”

Western Province juniors Altin van der Merwe and 2013 SA Under-13 champion Tristen Galant are also competing in the championship.

The quartet arrived in India late on Saturday but, due to the closure of the course, were unable to practice on Sunday. Instead, the South Africans were offered the opportunity to visit the exquisite Taj Mahal at Agra Fort with two other international teams competing in the event.

Womens Golf South Africa vice-president, Karen Olivant, who has accompanied the players to India, said the players thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“Of course we are here to compete, but we always encourage our players to learn a little about the local culture and to forge friendships at all our international events,” she said. “The players really enjoyed seeing one of the wonders of the world and we are very appreciative that the organisers of the Albatross International offered us the opportunity. They were also very accommodating in letting us practice on Monday, although the course was officially closed.

“The players loved the course on sight and were all full of praise about the condition and layout. The rough is not too bad and the bunkers are very good. All in all, we are ready to get started.”

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Abery in form for Alfred Dunhill

Warren Abery played the weekend of the South African Open Championship in eight-under-par, which signalled a strong rise in form for the seven-time Sunshine Tour winner ahead of his week at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

“It’s nice to be back up there, I think it’s where I belong,” he said. “I’ve been out of it for a while and you start losing confidence. Some of your love for the game goes missing, but I feel like I’ve got that hunger back again. What better time to start than now?”

Abery has managed 74 top-10s during his 16 years on tour. At 40 years old he’s mentally prepared for the week at Leopard Creek, which is South Africa’s No 1 ranked golf course.

“I love Leopard Creek and I’ve had a few good finishes there before. I think this confidence will help going into the tournament,” he said.

The Durban local is accustomed to hot and humid conditions, which will give him the edge over the European contenders in the sweltering heat of Malelane.

Back in 2004 Abery contended for the Alfred Dunhill trophy and birdied the 15th and 18th during the final round at Leopard Creek to share third with Ernie Els and England’s Oliver Whiteley.

At that same tournament Charl Schwartzel took his maiden victory and in 2012 he once again lifted the leopard trophy. The 2011 Masters champion returns this week to defend his title.

Abery’s recent success and his good memories at Leopard Creek will both factor into the coming week as he looks for a maiden European Tour victory.

“My result at the SA Open was a very nice start to summer. We plan our whole year around these big events and I took a lot of time off in the middle of the year to prepare. I’ve been building confidence and I’m excited to see what I can do,” he said.

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McIlroy wants to follow in Norman's footsteps

Rory McIlroy says he admires most things Australian, particularly Russell Crowe and Greg Norman, and would like nothing more than to get his hands on the Australian Open trophy this week.

The Northern Irishman is playing the event at Royal Sydney from Thursday and revealed Australians figure highly in people he reveres, but admitted another Australian icon, Vegemite, was not to his taste.

"Russell Crowe's always been my favourite Australian actor and my favourite all-time Australian golfer is Greg Norman," he said Tuesday.

"I don't mind the meat pies but just can't get used to Vegemite, it's definitely an Australian-born acquired taste," he said of the thick black spread made from yeast extract.

The former world No 1 will tee-up this week looking for his first win over 12 months, with locals Adam Scott and Jason Day his main challengers.

While the likes of Norman, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have won the event in the past, McIlroy is gunning to be only the second European after England's Lee Westwood to claim victory.

He said Norman was an idol and winning in Australia would be a huge moment for him.

"Being a multiple Major winner and a former world No 1, the Great White Shark will forever be remembered in the game," he said of Norman.

"Aside from his great golfing achievements, Greg is a hugely successful businessman off the course. Not many golfers have successfully made that transition.

"I know Greg also has won the Australian Open many times and that is my goal this week.

"So to win the Australian Open would be huge for me. It would stamp my place in the history books of the Australian Open alongside people like Greg, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and so many other great players.

"And following in their footsteps would never be a bad thing."

It is first time McIlroy has competed in an Australian Open since 2006 when he played as an amateur – averaging 76 over the four rounds to finish in a distant share of 51st place.

After some recent good results, including sixth at the BMW Masters in Shanghai and fifth in the European Tour season-ending DP World Tour Championship, he is quietly confident of winning his first tournament of the season.

"I came away from both tournaments a bit disappointed but when you're getting to push to that level, or that stage, and you're disappointed walking away with pretty decent finishes, you know that you're on the right track," he said.

"I've got this week's Australian Open and then Tiger's event next week in LA, so it would be great to finish the year with a win."

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