Australian Open 2013 Royal Sydney GC
The Australian Open 2013 at Royal Sydney GC starts this week and Rory McIlroy says he is ready to bring the curtain down on 2013 and enjoy a much-needed holiday, but not before ending his long wait for a tournament win.
The Northern Irishman came into the year top of the world rankings and off the back of his best year to date as a professional, winning six events including the US PGA Championship in 2012.
However, rather than continue his domination of the sport, McIlroy has found the going tough this time around and has slipped to sixth in the rankings as a result.
The 24-year-old hasn’t won a tournament in the last 12 months, with his best performances having come in Texas and Korea when he finished third on both occasions.
A change of clubs and problems off the golf course have hardly helped McIlroy’s plight and he admits to being “mentally drained” heading into his last two events of the year.
First up is the Australian Open 2013 in Sydney this week before he rounds of 2013 at the Tiger Woods-hosted World Challenge in California.
Despite being in need of a rest McIlroy says he is fully focused on ending his year-long wait for a win in one of his two final events.
“Physically, golf doesn’t take that much out of you but mentally it is quite draining,” McIlroy told AFP.
“I’m looking forward to a break after playing Tiger’s event next week as it’s been a long year mentally for me rather than physically.
“But then it’s great to be going into the off-season feeling comfortable with my game and knowing that I am on the right track and knowing that I can start the new season strongly.
“So I am excited about that aspect and besides I still have two tournaments left this year and I would love to get a win, whether it is here or in Tiger’s event in LA.”
World number two Adam Scott already has his sights set on further Major glory next year, as he bids to finish 2013 by completing an Australian treble.
McIlroy will have to be at the top of his game to win this week’s Australian Open, with Adam Scott having blown away the competition on home soil recently in the World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne last Sunday.
Spectators will arrive at Royal Sydney Golf Course in Bondi this week fully expecting no demanding a home win of this great old Tournament. Scott has remained in great form since winning The Masters.
After a bad first round last week he really played some superb stuff to help Jason Day bring the Trophy home and will be feeling very confident this week and with a further huge Aussie contingent playing, winning their National title will be their aim.
Scott, the current Masters champion, has already secured the Australian Masters and the Australian PGA titles on his return to his homeland, as well as helping Jason Day to win the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne last weekend.
I’m not going to stop dreaming of it just because Tiger Woods holds the No. 1 spot.
Adam Scott
Now Scott has the chance to become only the second man to complete a grand slam in Australia by winning the Australian Open, with Robert Allenby having achieved the feat in 2005.
The course itself with a classic hole which will provide great drama all week. It’s a drivable par four for the longer hitters which is a real risk reward as if you miss hit the drive there are some truly awful bunkers and rough lurking.
So early in the round the players will face a real dilemma here, it will be great viewing though.
Scott has already won the Australian PGA and Australian Masters, and he is 5/2 to complete the set in Sydney.
McIlroy is 11/2 to deny him the Australian Open title, while Jason Day is 6/1
Our selection….
With the chief protagonists all short prices and offering little EW (1/4 odds 1-5 places) we look to some of the other Aussies desperate to suceed in their home event?
We think good value can be had about Aron Price…… 6 top 25 finishes from 23 events and having made the cut in 14 ensures he should be competitive here…….a best priced 60/1 with PaddyPower
Current Live Golf Betting
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