Varner says Pines just special place
POPULAR victor Harold Varner III has so enjoyed his two successful visits to the Gold Coast that he’s helped lure another American pro to Royal Pines for his Australian PGA defence.
Varner signalled earlier in the year that he would be back for the PGA tournament, from November 30December 3, and it was made official yesterday.
The first international in 17 years to win the Joe Kirkwood Cup will now take on headliners Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith in trying to defend it.
Varner’s good friend Talor Gooch, a recent graduate to the US PGA Tour, will join him on his first visit to Australia.
“Winning in Australia for my first professional victory was pretty special and it gave me the chance to play in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in my hometown of Akron,” said the Ohio golfer who also finished second in 2015. “I wouldn’t have had that opportunity without winning this tournament.
“Hopefully I can go backto-back and secure a spot in Akron again.
“I love playing golf and I love having fun.
“It’s easy at the Australian PGA Championship.
“The tournament has a great vibe and everyone is very friendly, cheering me on even though I had two great Aussie players, Andrew (Dodt) and Adam (Scott) just behind me on the leaderboard last year.”
The PGA success helped Varner’s confidence for a million-dollar year on the US PGA tour, with two events in the FedExCup finals.
Gooch, 25, had five top-10 finishes on the Web.com Tour this year, including his first pro victory at the News Sentinel Open.
■ DEFENDING champion Hideki Matsuyama admits he is under pressure to replicate the storming performance that propelled him to WGCHSBC Champions glory in Shanghai one year ago.
The Japanese faces a tough field as he opens his defence of “Asia’s major” today.
IT’S EASY AT THE AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP. THE TOURNAMENT HAS A GREAT VIBE. HAROLD VARNER III
ELVIS Smylie was named after the hip-swivelling singer supreme and if there is one of his old songs to live by at the Isuzu Queensland Open on Thursday it will be Flip, Flop and Fly.
At just 15, the Gold Coast schoolboy is the youngest in the 132-man field and he plays with the headstart of smart preparation thanks to parents Peter and Liz Smylie, both former tennis pros.
Liz Smylie, a former world top 20 player, won the 1985 Wimbledon doubles crown during a career of 33 doubles and three singles titles.
Like every aspiring leftie, young Elvis Smylie’s admiration is greatest for five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and his freakish ability with flop shots and creative wedge play around the greens.
It’s a strength in this lean youngster’s game too for Brisbane Golf Club where long-bombers such as Lincoln Tighe, Tim Hart and Lucas Herbert will attempt to pillage birdies by overpowering holes. For Smylie, this stage is what he’s always dreamt off because he does his Year 10 studies online which frees up weeks like this for golf. “I did extra schoolwork last week in
the hope I’d qualify, I did in a playoff and I couldn’t be happier playing in my first pro tournament,” said Smylie, who lives near Lakelands Golf Club.
When a five-under-par 66, at 14, on his home track at Southport Golf Club is his low round you know his deeds are catching up to the distinctive name. His parents’ experience is a bonus.
“Mum and Dad were both experienced playing tennis at a high level and what they know about preparation and the mental side of the game has really helped,” he said.