Big blow as Opens dumped yet again

THE Australian golfing calendar has taken a massive hit with both the men’s and women’s Australian Opens cancelled for a second-straight year as travel restrictions continue to play havoc with international golf.

While the women’s Open was played early in 2020, the men’s event wasn’t and both were wiped from the calendar in 2021.

Both events were set to be played in early 2022, but citing the “pressure and risk on host venues” and the challenges of getting overseas-based players into Australia, the decision was made to focus on getting ready for the return of the two opens in the 2022-23 summer of golf.

“The decision has not been made lightly, but we believe it to be the right outcome under the current circumstances,“Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said.

“The international element means shifting quarantine and travel restrictions wreak havoc on planning, and with our marquee players living abroad, the challenge is even greater.

“The pressure and risk on organisers is also high – these are small businesses who have already faced huge disruption due to the pandemic.”

It had became increasingly apparent as the tournament dates loomed that it would not be possible to run them because of the restrictions in NSW and South Australia.

Superstar Australians including Adam Scott (pictured) and Marc Leishman had already indicated that it was too hard for them to return home to play, citing the need for 14 days in quarantine.

Public health concerns and continued uncertainty over travel also played their part as the virus continues to flare around Australia.