Rory getting ready to tee off in the last group on Saturday. The galleries were large and I like the British Open like high rise seating!
Saturday, with a tricky and difficult Australian Nor’easter wind , turned out to be ‘Stay Where You Are, If You Are Lucky’ day at the 88th rendition of the historic Australian Open. Greg Chalmers, the Round 2 leader, did just that posting an even par 71 after a bogey-bogey start to hold on to a share of the lead at 5-under par with fellow Australian Brett Rumford and American Jordan Spieth, both shooting 2-under 69.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy came unraveled with a triple bogey on the 9th hole from the high grass above the green right and followed it with a sloppy double bogey at the 10th to fall out of contention. Being six strokes back with thirteen to pass, it is unlikely the Northern Irishman can win in his last round of the year.
An added incentive on Sunday at the Australian Open, Top 3 golfers, not otherwise exempted, earn a spot in the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews, Scotland.
The magic stay-put number on Saturday was 69 and Adam Scott achieved it by offsetting a lone bogey with three birdies. Rod Pamphling’s route to a 69 was dunking his approach shot on the par-4 10th for a heroic eagle 2. Both are tied for 4th one stroke back. Out of the final twelve golfers teeing off on Saturday only four, Rory and his playing partner Adam Crawford who shot 76 and Geoff Drakeford and Conrad Shindler who both shot 81 in the wind, fell out of the top echelon at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Australian Golf Club. Daniel Nisbet, out in the first pairing, 3-1/2 hours before the leaders teed off shot the day’s best round of 67 and moved from last place to T9, five strokes back of Chalmers, Rumsford & Jordan. Staurday was definitiely ‘Stay Where You Are, If You Are Lucky’ day at the 2014 Australian Open.
Can lone American in a sea of Aussies win the Emirates Australian Open? (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 11/29/14)
Saturday was still moving day for me around the grounds of The Australian Golf Club. Here are some of my wanderings:
British Open style announcing on the first tee with the dapperly dressed Tony Gresham.
Thinking of playing SpeedGolf after being inspired by SpeedGolf Australia founder Virginia Deigan.
Hot ticket for for the Saturday night Australian Golf Writers Annual Dinner.
