KEY POINTS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

The Australian course in Sydney from today-Sunday

Defending champion: Jordan Spieth (US)

Prizemoney: $1.5 million ($225,000 to winner)

The course: 6619m, par 71

Course record: Rod Pampling (61 in 2015)

Television: Live on Channel 7 from 11am

Key groups today

10th tee, 6.05am: Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy, Rod Pampling

1st tee, 11.10am: Jordan Spieth (US), Cameron Smith, Matt Jones

Most wins

7 — Gary Player (1958, 62, 63, 65, 69, 70, 74)

6 — Jack Nicklaus (1964, 68, 71, 75, 76, 78)

5 — Greg Norman (1980, 85, 87, 95, 96), Ivo Whitton (amateur, 1912, 13, 26, 29, 31) Most times as host venue

20 — The Australian 16 — Royal Melbourne 15 — Royal Sydney

9 — Royal Adelaide Who to watch Jordan Spieth (aged 24): Three majors at his age make the Texan the best player in the world.

Jason Day (30): Former world No.1 is home for the first time in four years.

Matt Jones (37): Only man to have beaten Spieth in the Australian Open when he won here in 2015.