2023 ISPS HANDA Australian Open: Power Rankings, Defending Champion, Prize Money, and Major Details

The golf world is yet to witness its peak in 2023. The oldest, if not the most prestigious tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the ISPS HANDA Australian Open is all set to take place from November 30th. The event is a much-anticipated one, being the 11th tourney on the circuit. Moreover, the men’s competition would be hosted at The Lakes GC, Sydney, Australia.

The Open would witness a total of 156 golfers battling it out against each other for glory and the Stonehaven Cup in a unique format. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia along with the DP World Tour featuring some of the top professionals in the world playing on the field for the prize money of $2,241,309 (AUD $3.4 million). But what excites the community are the details surrounding the athletes who are the top contenders for lifting the cup. Curious, isn’t it?

Top contenders for the 2023 ISPS HANDA Australian Open

The golfing fans in the community would find themselves amidst the increasing hype as the oldest event in the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, the 2023 ISPS HANDA Australian Open, draws near. The sporting world would be able to spot a lot of talented golfers on the course including the defending champion, among other previous winners of the tournament. Let us take a quick look at the top athletes who are fighting for glory at the event, hoping to lift the Stonehaven Cup.

1. Adrion Meronk: The 30-year-old professional is the current defending champion of the Australian Open, defeating the runner-up by five strokes in 2022 by scoring 14-under 268. Including the same, he has a total of four wins on the European circuit, two of which came in 2023. Moreover, the year saw him finishing a total of five times inside the top 10 together with the two victories. Currently, at No. 48 on the OWGR, the pro is a definite fan favorite to win the event.

2. Min Woo Lee: The Aussie professional is fresh off his win at the Fortinet PGA Australian Championship, and has climbed his way to the 38th position in the OWGR. Boasting a total of 3 wins on the DP World Tour, including the recent one, the 25-year-old would be looking to become a part of golfing history by winning the upcoming event to achieve the first back-to-back victories in his career. Moreover, the pro also has his eyes on the Paris Olympics and would look to finish ahead of his Australian peers.

3. Cameron Smith: Although he missed the cut at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, the LIV golfer, nevertheless, had an amazing year in 2023 with a total of eleven top-10 placements including two victories in the Saudi-backed league. Moreover, the 2022 Open Championship winner would be aiming to get back his world ranking inside the top 15 as the current No. 20 hopes to make yet another Olympic appearance at the 2024 Paris Games.

4. Cameron Davis: Hot on the trail of his fellow countrymen in the OWGR is Davis at No. 43. The golfer finished a total of nine times inside the top-10 including a T7 at the previous event that saw Lee winning a little while back. Moreover, he was able to score a 17-under 271 placing third in the Fortinet Championship, a PGA Tour Fall season event. A talented athlete on the greens, the 1X PGA Tour winner is a fan favorite to lift the trophy.

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5. Adam Scott: The 43-year-old was a former No. 1 on the OWGR in the year 2014. However, he has not lost his touch as the 14X PGA Tour champ finished sixth at the Australian PGA Championship increasing his tally of 2023 top-10 placings to seven. Moreover, the 1X major champ would be looking to increase his OWGR ranking as well to stand a chance to play at the 2024 Olympics.

The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney: The ultimate challenge of the Open

One of the top courses in Australia, the Lakes GC was founded in the year 1928. The layout was designed by Mike Clayton, a 2X Victorian Open champ. However, it was redesigned by Robert von Hagge owing to the Mascot freeway being built through the same. Following the same, in 2006, Mike Clayton of Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead restored the iconic course to its former glory by widening the corridors for better and open gameplay.

The course which borders the Botany Aquifer and Wetlands Area near the city of Sydney is ranked 18th on the Australian Golf Digest. The grounds have hosted the tournament a total of seven times. Moreover, it boasts a number of bold bunkers along with a lot of trees and water hazards, especially on the back nine. The golfers would find the fourteenth par-5 hole a bit tough to crack as it is home to an infamous water carry along with the biggest greens on the course.

The PGA Tour of Australasia event sure is one to look forward to. And, one can’t help but expect a sensational four days of golf as the athletes in the star-studded lineup hope to come out on top against each other.

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