CONTENDERS WANT NAME ON TROPHY
Try telling Matt Kuchar and Cameron Smith the Australian Open has lost its lustre.
Smith, Kuchar and fellow US PGA Tour stalwarts Keegan Bradley and Brandt Snedeker shape as the chief contenders this year in the absence of Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Adam Scott and other luminaries.
But while officials have come under fire for failing to attract golf’s biggest names, those in Sydney for the 104th Open are treating this week’s event like a mini-major.
“I really want to get this one,” said top local hope Smith ahead of this morning’s opening round.
“I rate this tournament, every tournament in Australia, pretty highly. Traditionally I slacken off after those (end-of-year) Asian events and then come down here fresh after a couple of weeks off.
“But I’ve been working pretty hard the last couple of weeks back in Jacksonville.”
World No.29 Kuchar – the Open’s highest-ranked player and fresh off his first PGA Tour win in four years, in Mexico on Sunday – probably wouldn’t have made the gruelling trek if he didn’t have the chance to join Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Norman and the like on the Stonehaven Cup.
“Having some history to an event, having guys like that that have won this event, adds to the allure of coming and playing and trying to put your name on that list of champions,” Kuchar said.
“If the list included a bunch of guys none of us (had) ever heard of, it wouldn’t have nearly the draw ... that helps add to the excitement of being down here and trying to add my name to that list.”