Golf-Australian Open eyes return to glory days in new golf environment

By Andrew Both

BALLARAT, Australia (Reuters) - A partnership with the U.S.-based PGA Tour or even the fledgling Saudi-backed Super Golf League are among possible options as Australian golf seeks to return the country's flagship championship to shades of its old glory.

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland says several possibilities are on the table for the Australian Open, cancelled the past two years due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

The event is finally back on the schedule, to be held at the Victoria course in Melbourne's famed Sandbelt late in 2022.

Sutherland, who spoke to Reuters about the latest figures that show a 21% increase in the overall number of Australians playing golf, said there were pros and cons to teaming up with a foreign tour for a co-sanctioned event.

"We certainly have significant aspirations for the Australian Open to continue to step up as an event," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"If co-sanctioning with one of the international tours is something that is conducive to that, then we're really open to that and will certainly entertain that.

"Sure, we'd like to see the best possible high-profile players coming but if at the same time that adds a significant layer of cost it can be counterproductive to the broader strategy, which is all about growing golf and seeing more Australians playing golf."

Sutherland said he had not spoken recently with Greg Norman, the public face of the Saudi-backed Super Golf League that, if it comes to fruition, could potentially transform the global game.

"I think we all need to be open to all of the opportunities that might present from time to time," he said when asked about whether Golf Australia would consider partnering with the WGL.

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