Intriguing line up at MasterCard Masters
BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2004 MasterCard Masters | Preview | 07 Dec 2004
The Australasian Tour heads to the Huntingdale Golf Club in the sandbelt area of Melbourne for their final event of 2004 starting on Thursday.
The MasterCard Masters boasts arguably the strongest line-up up of the latter part of the season, with all but two of Australia’s leading ten players in the world ranking, scheduled to take their place in the field. The missing two are Mark Hensby and Stephen Leaney, who have decided to take a break.
The MasterCard Masters was first played in 1979 when the New Zealander Barry Vivian shocked many with his victory. Since then the event has established a special place in Australian golf with some of the game’s greatest players competing in and on occasions taking the title.
The Huntingdale layout was an original C.H. Alison layout but underwent considerable alterations a few years back by the Australian design team of Newton Grant and Spencer. The course was originally opened in 1941.
This year the world number 11 Adam Scott takes his place at Huntingdale after missing the cut last week at the Australian PGA Championship. Last year Scott was involved in a four-way playoff with Robert Allenby, Craig Parry and Jarrod Moseley for the title with Allenby eventually running out the winner. Despite winning three times on the USPGA Tour and four times on the European Tour, Scott has yet to win in Australia although he did go close here last year and again earlier this year, just around the corner at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club when narrowly beaten by Ernie Els. His recent form is not sharp but if he can find something close to his best form he is a chance.
Peter Lonard arrives this week on an absolute roll, and with a very good record at this course, he may well be the favourite in most eyes. He is probably the people’s favourite in any case, even if he is not necessarily the bookies favourite. Peter was fifth here last year just two behind the four way playoff and has won the event twice previously in 2002 and 1997. His three recent wins have shown just what a good state of mind he is in, not to mention his game, and while the burden of winning four consecutive events is a big one, Lonard does have broad enough shoulders for the task.
Stuart Appleby arrives here following a rather demanding travel schedule having finished second at the Australian two weeks ago and second last week at the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City where he picked up a cool US$500,000. He is in fine form but has not played this event often. If the travel schedule has not taken its toll, he may do well.
Robert Allenby had the week off last week following the Australian Open where he finished 8th. His win last year highlights his capacity to play this course well. He has had a solid, if unspectacular, season in the US and will be keen to repeat his 2003 victory in order to finish his year off well.
Nick O’Hern hardly knows how to turn in a poor week. He rallied home for a share of fourth last week. He has had the occasional good week at Huntingdale but in 2004 we have seen a much improved O’Hern who could feature on Sunday.
Rod Pampling recovered from a slow start last week, perhaps his early rounds spent recovering from a disastrous weekend in Sydney the previous week. He has shown this year that his game is at a new level. He was 3rd here two years ago when he was perhaps half the player he is now and for him to be in contention until late in the tournament would not surprise. Just how late that may be is the question but if he can win in the US he can win here. Will he? Ask me Sunday.
It is a field full of quality. Corey Pavin plays here after his 41st at the Australian Open and his fine showing last week at Coolum when fourth. He is coming off one of his better recent years in the US and there is no reason to think that Huntingdale will not suit him. The twelve time winner internationally has shown adaptation is one of his strengths.
There are plenty of others such as Geoff Ogilvy and Richard Green who could also give this a shake.
A fine golf course and a high quality field are the recipes for what is shaping up as an exciting week.
Photo – Anthony Powter
