Thread: Report from Down Under

On the first leg of a 2 week trip to Australia to follow some golf, Australian Open, President's Cup, and the PGA Championship of Australia. Also, playing Metropolitan on Friday

Have been visiting Sydney since Saturday. Went to the weekend rounds at the Australian Open, to follow acquaintances, Geoff Ogilvy and Aaron Baddely. Will be flying to Melbourne for the President's Cup tomorrow. Here's some pic's from the past weekend: Aaron B., Geoff O. signing an autograph on his wife Julie's back, Jason Day Interviewed, John Senden interviewed, Geoff O interviewed on Sunday after a nice 67, Tiger's birdie put on 9, 3rd round, (missed).

I'll send some more pic's from Melbourne and Coolum.

Cheers from Down Under!
Akira

Hi Akira,

Thanks for the report and photos!! Keep them coming....you can be Golfjin's first roving reporter coming live from the Presidents Cup.

Trying to get into the Opening Ceremony today. May have to crash the gates as it's an invited only event. Will try to scoop pic's of Ryo's girlfriend!

Good man!

"Captains Greg Norman and Fred Couples haven announced their six pairings for Thursday’s first session of The Presidents Cup, the foursomes (alternate shot)."

MATCH 1 – Ernie Els-Ryo Ishikawa, International vs. Bubba Watson-Webb Simpson, U.S.

MATCH 2 – Bill Haas-Nick Watney, U.S. vs. Geoff Ogilvy-Charl Schwartzel, International

MATCH 3 – Aaron Baddeley-Jason Day, International vs. Dustin Johnson-Matt Kuchar, U.S.

MATCH 4 – Phil Mickelson-Jim Furyk, U.S. vs. Retief Goosen-Robert Allenby, International

MATCH 5 – K.T. Kim-Y.E. Yang, International vs. Hunter Mahan-David Toms, U.S.

MATCH 6 – Tiger Woods-Steve Stricker, U.S. vs. Adam Scott-K.J. Choi, International

Shock horror - Woods will face his ex-mate turned nemisis Stevie Williams.

Definitely want to catch this match!

Lots of interesting battles lined up for day 1.

Here's my predictions for Session 1 on Thursday:
Match 1: US
Match 2: International
Match 3: Half
Match 4: US
Match 5: International
Match 6: International
Internationals 3.5 - US 2.5

What d'ya reckon?

We were able to make it to Royal Melbourne just in time to catch the Opening Ceremony. It opened with a nice routine by the Royal Australian Air Force's performance squadron, the Roulettes. The following pictures can speak for themselves. The day started chilly but as the ceremony started, the temps rose to about 24C. More to come tomorrow.

BTW, When the wives and girlfriends entered, there was no sign of a girlfriend for Ryo...(Tiger as well!)

Tiger had a tough first match!! 7 and 6!! Pic's to come later.

Thrashing by Adam Scott and KJ Choi of Woods and Stricker!

I think I'll make that pic my new avatar

Here's today's Pics and 1 video of Ryo working on his driving after his loss.

1. Enjoying a Crown Lager
2. Geoff's wife Juli
3. Web Simpson, Ernie Els, Bubba Watson
4. Ryo at par 3 4th hole
5. Geoff hitting a shot
6. Ryo practicing his drives after loss, (seems more upright than most players??)
7. Tiger getting thumped!!

Going to play Metropolitan, ( WGC Matchplay tournament site where Stricker won, in, I think 2000), then heading back to the event. More to come!

Absolutely none of us are envious of you Akira.....

Day 2 matches:

Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, United States, vs. Ernie Els and Ryo Ishikawa, International.

Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods, United States, vs. Aaron Baddeley and Jason Day, International.

Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, United States, vs. Adam Scott and K.T. Kim, International.

Bill Haas and Nick Watney, United States, vs. Geoff Ogilvy and K.J. Choi, International.

Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker, United States, vs. Y.E. Yang and Robert Allenby, International.

Hunter Mahan and David Toms, United States, vs. Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel, International.

Sorry for the long silence!

Did not go to the event on Friday, as I was able to get invited to play at the Metropolitan Golf Club on the Sand Belt. Wonderful track that had similarly lightning fast greens and multiple bunkers defending the greens. That evening, I was fortunate enough to have dinner with the Head Professional of RMGC, Richard Hatt, a great guy, who later gave us a tour of the clubhouse on Saturday.

We went on to the afternoon matches on Saturday afternoon, where the rain had mostly stopped and thus we were able to watch some of the good play of the internationals, especially KT and YE's win over Tiger!!

Sunday was a beautiful day and we followed Ryo and Geoff Ogilvy on holes 4-8, before the crowds just got too overwhelming. We then moved to a suite sponsored by Schwepes on the 16th hole, where quite a bit of drama unfolded. The Internationals gave quite a push in the AM, but the 4 point lead was just too much to overcome. Here are a few more pic's

- Clubhouse Lobby
- Ryo on 7th green,
- Geoff on 7th green
- sneaking into the media room!


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Arrived in Queensland last night. Staying in Noosa Heads, a nice quiet beach town about 30 minutes from Coolum where the Australian PGA championship will be played this week. The Pres. Cup participants, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, Jason Day, KT Kim, YE Yang, Robert Allenby, Bubba Watson will be joined by the Captain, Greg Norman, this year's Open Champion, Darren Clarke, US player, Ricky Fowler, and NOT John Daly, who was uninvited after his self induced implosion at the Australian Open in Sydney 2 weeks ago...

Will be attending the kick off "Dinner with the Stars" tonight along with some of the players. Should be fun. Will post pictures later

Originally Posted by niwayama

Will be attending the kick off "Dinner with the Stars" tonight along with some of the players. Should be fun. Will post pictures later

Be sure to plug Golfjin to anyone who'll listen and get some of them to join. The Green Team could do with a couple more ringers for next year's Samurai Cup

Here are some pic's from the Gala dinner for the PGA Championship of Australia held at the Hyatt at Coolum on the Sunshine CoastDSCN0469.jpgDSCN0476.jpgDSCN0478.jpgDSCN0480.jpgDSCN0470.jpgDSCN0474.jpg. The Shark, Darren Clarke, Ricky Fowler, Jason Day and Adam Scott

Thanks for the photos Akira. Enjoy the rest of your trip!