GOLF BOSS BACKS SHOOTOUT PLAN FOR QUEENSLAND SUPERSTAR
GOLF’S “Big Day Out” concept to woo superstar Jason Day to Queensland has earned a measured tick from the professional game’s top administrator who would happily talk through the possibilities of a crowd-pulling shootout.
PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said yesterday that Day’s commitment to play in Australia this summer was a huge result for golf and fans would relish watching every hole played by the former world No.1.
The idea of an 18-hole matchplay exhibition between Day and young gun Cameron Smith at a top course like Royal Queensland would be lapped up by fans in his home state who should expect the news that Day’s single tournament will be the Australian Open in Sydney from November 23-26.
“It’s a good idea and I’d like to have that discussion,” Kirkman said of a Day-Smith shootout.
“Our ideal remains for Jason to play the Open at The Australian plus the Australian PGA on the Gold Coast a week later and that’s what has been talked about with his management.
“We’ve had great conversations with Jason’s manager in the US and the current situation is that his schedule won’t allow him to play both tournaments. We will respect Jason’s decision because having him play live on our tour, regardless of the event, is huge and the public will embrace him.”
The Open at The Australian will feature two-time champion Jordan Spieth while the coup signing of Masters victor Sergio Garcia for the Australian PGA at Royal Pines, from December 30, means two luminous major winners have been locked in as headliners.
Smith’s star is on the rise too. Two hot 63s during his seventh in North Carolina last week have catapulted him into Thursday’s first event of the rich play-off series on the PGA Tour in 40th spot on the FedExCup rankings.
Brisbane golfer Smith is all for the idea of a fun 18-hole shootout with Day at RQ.