Daly to Return to Australia


John Daly will return to Australia later this year to play in the 2009 Australian Open. Daly will return to the Open at New South Wales Golf Club, also known as La Perouse, in Sydney from December 3-6 and expects to be near his best after a year of physical transformation.

"I am looking forward to returning to play the 2009 Australian Open and am particularly excited about playing the course at La Perouse for the first time. I have heard so many great things about the course," Daly said.

Daly, who won the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 British Open, has lost around 50 pounds and plans to keep that new shape when he returns to the Australian Open for the third time.

Daly will be joined by Australians Mathew Goggin and Stuart Appleby, who have also confirmed their attendance. Goggin finished runner-up to South African Tim Clark in 2008, Appleby will be seeking his second crown after his win in 2001.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was pleased to have Daly, Goggin and Appleby vying for the Stonehaven Cup. "As soon as the Australian Open title is on the line, there's always a strong field that is driven by the thought of becoming the Australian Open champion and joining one of the most exclusive roll calls in world golf," Pitt exclaimed.

"This field is already impressive with some real crowd favorites and it will only get better over the next few months."

The 2009 Open will be the first Australian championship on the new One Asia Super Series schedule. Tickets will be available September 1st at www.ticketek.com.au.  

For more news about Australasia's golf industry, visit www.golfindustrycentral.com.au.