With no time to attract breath, the brand new DP World Tour season will get underneath manner this week with two tournaments, the Joburg Open and the Australian PGA Championship.
Quite a few gamers might be competing after having performed within the DP World Tour Championship. It’s a actually brutal schedule.
Amongst these making the journey from Dubai to Royal Queensland Golf Membership in Australia are Robert MacIntyre and Min Woo Lee.
MacIntyre will journey to Australia with two main targets – a 3rd DP World Tour profession victory and regaining a spot on this planet high 50 which might assure his place in all 4 of golf’s main championships in 2024.
MacIntyre, who’s 56th on this planet rankings, loved a memorable Ryder Cup debut towards the US in Italy in September, going undefeated, together with a win in his final-day singles match towards U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark.
The 27-year-old was concerned in one in all golf’s greatest final-round duels of 2023 when he went head-to-head with Rory McIlroy over the ending holes on the Scottish Open, ultimately shedding to the Northern Irishman by a shot after closing with a sensational 64.
“I’ve at all times beloved Australia and have household there, so I’m actually wanting ahead to the fortnight taking part in in Brisbane and Sydney,” MacIntyre mentioned.
“The Australian PGA and Australian Open are two tournaments with nice historical past and I’d like to be up there in each.
“There’s been some nice examples up to now of gamers profitable in Australia after which occurring to large issues within the following yr.”
(Picture Credit score: Kevin Diss Pictures)
Min Woo Lee, 24, who has completed within the high 5 in every of the previous two editions, is a agency followers’ favorite and his stature continues to develop inside the golf world.
After registering a tie for second in Abu Dhabi, Lee loved a memorable debut on the Gamers Championship in March as he completed in a tie for sixth at TPC Sawgrass on the PGA Tour.
And he can not wait to get dwelling. He mentioned: “It’s an superior occasion, I really like taking part in in entrance of an Australian crowd. Being in Australia is what you need on the finish of the yr.
“I actually get pleasure from being in Australia and having that help. The final couple of years have been superior.”
The match was gained final yr by Cameron Smith, who might be again to defend his title, profiting from a uncommon alternative to earn some world rating factors after his defection to LIV Golf.
There might be a powerful subject Down Below. Additionally taking part in are Adam Scott, Adrian Meronk, Ryo Hisatsune, Tom McKibbin, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, Joaquin Nieman and Mito Pereira.
Meronk might be attempting his luck on the PGA Tour subsequent yr and he certainly has the sport to reach the USA.
Event Winners:
It was gained in 2015 by Nathan Holman, in 2016 by Harold Varner III, in 2017 and 2018 by Cameron Smith, in 2019 by Adam Scott, in January 2022 by Jediah Morgan and final November by Cameron Smith. There was no match in 2020 and 2021.
The Course:
Royal Queensland is a par 71 measuring 7.135 yards. It opened in 1920 and was radically redesigned in 2007 by Mike Clayton. The fairways are extensive and beneficiant, the tough is brief however the giant greens are well-protected by bunkers.
Type Information:
Adrian Meronk is the shape horse. He’s changing into a serial winner and might be spending a lot of 2024 on the PGA Tour. He’s additionally nonetheless smarting from his Ryder Cup snub.
To Win:
Adrian Meronk. Sensible ball striker
Every Means:
Cameron Smith. Would love one other win on dwelling soil
Every Means:
Robert MacIntyre. Class act
5 to Observe:
Adrian Meronk. A serial winner
Cameron Smith. Searching for rating factors
Robert MacIntyre. Sensible brief recreation
Min Woo Lee. World class
Adam Scott. The sweetest of swingers
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