While the PGA Tour has entered the offseason, the DP World Tour is in full swing at Down Under. After a weather-curtailed Australian PGA Championship, the Wentworth-based circuit will stop at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne for the 2024 ISPS Handa Australian Open.
On the Stateside, Golf Channel has taken over the broadcasting duties. Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of EST. So, the first two rounds will start at 8 PM EST a day ahead, i.e., the opening round will be on air on Wednesday. However, Cam Smith will tee off at 7 AM local time with Elvis Smylie and Victory Perez in the first round. So, when it goes live on TV here, the Open champion will likely be done with his day.
But on the second day, Smith will hit the greens at 12.05 PM local time. So, you can catch him live on Thursday evening Stateside. Golf Channel has allotted the late-night slot for the moving-day broadcast: 10 PM-3 AM. The final round will be live from 9 PM Saturday (ET Time) to 2 AM.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It's ISPS HANDA Australian Open week and we're at Kingston Heath Golf Club, ranked 20th in the Top 100 golf courses 😍#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/rSwp9OQgID
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 26, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Additionally, the ISPS Handa Australian Open will be livestreamed on the NBC Sports App. While the field is not loaded, it does include a handful of stars from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf. Moreover, given how dramatic the last tournament was, expect a tough battle at Kingston Heath.
Players to watch out for at 2024 ISPS Handa Australian Open
Cam Smith wanted to spend more time in his home country and add a few more events to his schedule. That was a key reason behind his move to the PIF-funded side. The LIV Golf pro has started true to his words this year, having already played three tournaments in Australia. And in all three, the 31-year-old has netted a top-three finish, including two consecutive runner-ups. A week back, 22-year-old Elvis Smylie outclassed the Ripper GC captain in a thrilling playoff.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Smith’s Ripper GC mates Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman will also be in the field. Herbert was T43 at the Australian PGA Championship, and Leishman managed a T3. Former World No. 1, Jason Day, will tee off at the ISPS Handa Australian Open as well. Day bagged a T8 last week. Rising star Min Woo Lee will enter the field hoping for a victory after securing a T15 last Sunday.
While that covers the Australian contingent, keep an eye on the defending champion, Joaquin Niemann. Last year, Chilean International started his victory march from here and carried the momentum till the recently concluded DP World Tour Championship (T7). It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old can defend his title at the AUD 3.4M event.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
What’s your perspective on:
Can Cam Smith finally clinch a win on home soil, or will young guns steal the spotlight again?
Have an interesting take?