19TH HOLE: NEWS & VIEWS.

For the past handful of years the inevitable second or third question of the first press conference in Emirates Australian Open week is, “Are you happy with the field? It’s pretty weak isn’t it?”

The man fielding that question, Tournament Director Trevor Herden, plays a Steve Smith-like straight bat and lays the cards on the table. It’s scheduling. It’s money. It’s the tyranny of distance.

He won’t have to worry about that this year.

The 2019 Australian Open is shaping up to have the best field assembled to contest our national championship since the 2011 event, which was also held the week before the Presidents Cup being played at Royal Melbourne.

That year, Greg Chalmers claimed his second Stonehaven Cup by a single stroke from John Senden. Also in his wake was the likes of Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Fred Couples, Nick Watney and Dustin Johnson.

With the Cup set down to return to the Alistair MacKenzie-designed jewel the week after this year’s Open – to be played at The Australian Golf Club from December 5 – the stars are again starting to align for the championship.

Three of the biggest names in Australian golf – Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith – are confirmed starters with each attempting to win their first Stonehaven Cup.

“This is great news for golf fans around the country,” Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said.

“All three players are really popular with Aussie crowds and continue to achieve so much when representing us on the PGA Tour and in events around the world. It’s fantastic that they have committed to playing in front of their home crowds.” Day, for one, can’t wait for a shot at the title. “It’s the tournament we all grew up watching and I’ve said before that I want to win a few of them, so there’s no better time to start than December,” Day said.

“I nearly got one at The Australian a couple of years ago and it’s a course that really sets up well for me.”

Leishman, who with Smith almost won the World Cup for Australia last year, always looks forward to playing in front of enthusiastic fans.

“IT’S THE TOURNAMENT WE ALL GREW UP WATCHING AND I’VE SAID BEFORE THAT I WANT TO WIN A FEW OF THEM ...” – JASON DAY

“It will be great to have the big crowds supporting us again. I know all the guys are dead keen to win the Aussie Open, so we’re all pumped to get back to Sydney.”

Smith, the dual and reigning Australian PGA champion has been 10th, fourth and runner-up the past three years, so is hell bent on taking that next step this year.

“I’ve been really close and it’s something I would love to win,” Smith said.

“I know it’s going to be a great field, plus it’s a great rush playing in front of your home crowd.”

In our exclusive interview with Adam Scott (see page 62), he hints at making his first appearance in the Open since 2016, although this had not been announced by Golf Australia at the time of going to press.

The cream of the Aussies will have to stave off a strong foreign contingent including England’s Paul Casey, Presidents Cup International team captain Ernie Els and fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen.

Four-time major champion Els last played the Open in 2001 at The Grand on the Gold Coast, where he finished third behind Stuart Appleby.

While Cup preparations might be front of mind in the week before heading to Melbourne, Els says he’s ready for a shot at winning his first Stonehaven Cup.

“It’s one of those trophies in world golf that has such an incredible history,” Els said.

“I love playing national Opens and it’s been unfortunate that I haven’t been able to play for the Australian title more often with dates often clashing in South Africa.

“But this year the planets have lined up and I’m really looking forward to playing in Sydney.”

With most of the American team making themselves unavailable to play in Australia before the Presidents Cup, preferring to tee up in Tiger Woods’ limited-field event in the Bahamas, Els announced months ago that he would lean on his team to play in Sydney.

Four Internationals are now confirmed. Scott is likely to join, as will defending champion Abraham Ancer. Els’ assistant captains Geoff Ogilvy and Mike Weir are also likely starters.

The tournament, being hosted by The Australian GC for a record 21st time, will be telecast live by the Seven Network. Tickets are available via www.ticketek.com.au

RORY MCILROY won his second FedExCup title at the end of August, pocketing US$15 million (AU$22.3m) in the process. The four-time major champ also lifted the Cup in 2016.

CAMERON PERCY earnt promotion back to the PGA Tour just four months after breaking his wrist and fearing retirement. The 45-year-old Victorian played his way back onto the main circuit via the Korn Ferry Tour.

CAMERON DAVIS finished T13 in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship to grab one of the 25 PGA Tour playing cards for the 2019-2020 season. Six birdies in his last 10 holes assured the Sydneysider of a spot.

PETER SENIOR fired rounds of 65-64 to win the Gold Coast Senior PGA Championship at Lakelands Golf Club. It was Senior’s fourth Legends Tour victory in three weeks.

SUE WOOSTER advanced to the championship match of the US Senior Women’s Amateur

for the second year running. Unfortunately, the Victorian lost to American Lara Tennant, 3 & 2, for the second year running.

SHANE LUKE carded rounds of 77-83 to claim the Queensland Amputee Open at Pacific Harbour Country Club. Luke defeated fellow Sydneysider Geoff Nicholas by a single stroke.

ANDREW DODT ended his four-year

title drought when he won the Sarawak Championship on the Asian Tour. The 33-year-old Queenslander defeated Canadian Richard T. Lee on the first playoff hole.

CAMERON SMITH signals his intention to aim for a third successive Australian PGA Championship title at RACV Royal Pines Resort from December 19-22.

BRETT RANKIN captured his first victory on the Australasian Tour at the NT PGA Championship at Palmerston Golf & Country Club. The 32-year-old Queenslander was three shots clear of Taylor Macdonald.