golf

I see that Nick Flanagan has made the cut in his first tournament on the big stage, the Turning Stone Resort Championship. I'm sure Nick would be happy very with that start. If you're not aware, Nick gained his PGA Tour card by winning three tournaments on the Nationwide Tour this year.

Update: Nick Flanagan has finished in a tie for 18th in his début start as PGA tour player. Top twenty, what a terrific way to start!

Aussie Aaron Baddeley is following up on his good performance last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship by posting a consecutive 65 to lead into the final round of the BMW Championship, the third tournament in the FedExCup playoffs for $10 million. Badds is going to have his work cut out for him though, as he shares the lead with Steve Sticker, who has been on fire of late and is second in the FedExCup standings, and is only one ahead of you know who.

Badds isn't the only Aussie doing well at the BMW Championship. Adam Scott and Nathan Green at tied for 7th on 8 under and Stuart Appleby is 13th a couple of shots further back.

Aussie Nick Flanagan won his third tournament on the Nationwide Tour this year, the Xerox Classic at Irondequoit Country Club, Rochester, New York. By winning the Xero Classic, Nick Flanagan earned an automatic promotion to PGA Tour. Way to go Nick! However Nick will have to wait until later in the year, after the Fedex Cup playoffs, before he will be able to tee off on the PGA Tour.

As it stands at writing this, and I'm sneaking this post in a bit late, there are three Australian's in the top twenty five, thus in line for PGA Tour qualification for next year. Nick of course at number two, although it doesn't matter as he's already qualified is one ahead of Jason Day. The surprise packet is Matthew Jones at number seventeen. Also there are a few Aussies sitting just outside the top twenty five - Scott Gardiner, Greg Chalmers and David McKenzie.

The final major of 2007, the PGA Championship at Southern Hills, tees off early tomorrow morning Australian time. Unfortunately I won't be rising in the wee hours of the morning to watch this time around, as it's not being broadcast on free to air television

As evidence to the strength of Australian golf, there are twelve Aussies in the field this year. Most of them have a genuine chance at winning. I haven't had a chance to read up on Southern Hills, so I'm not sure if the course is particularly suitable for his style, but I'm going to pick the ever consistent Nick O'Hern. He is always in the running over summer back here in Oz and I think he's ready feature in the mix in a major.

Australian Starters:

• Robert Allenby
• Stuart Appleby
• Aaron Baddeley
• Steve Elkington
• Nathan Green
• Richard Green
• Stephen Leaney
• Geoff Ogilvy
• Nick O'Hern
• Rod Pampling
• Adam Scott
• John Senden

On a final note, I am yet again I'm disappointed not to Peter Lonard teeing up, especially after his great finish last week, where he finished fourth behind a run away Tiger. Hopefully Peter will get his foot in the door on all the majors next year.

The 2007 British Open at Carnoustie kicks off on Thursday with twenty Australians teeing up. I confess, I haven't heard of all the players. A bit of googling however brings up some interesting stories, such as Ewan Porter who won the Australasian qualifier at the Lakes in Sydney. Now facing the challenge of financing his trip, Ewan auctioned the position of caddy on ebay.

Defending champion Tiger Woods is going for his third consecutive British Open which would tie Australian Peter Thompson's record. Peter Thompson won three in a row between 1954 and 1956 and a total of five all up.

Australian starters at the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie:

• Robert Allenby
• Stuart Appleby
• Aaron Baddeley
• Ben Bunny
• Peter Folwler
• David Gleeson
• Richard Green
• Adam Groom
• Mark Hensby
• Scott Laycock
• Won Joon Lee
• Geoff Ogilvy
• Nick O'Hern
• Rod Pampling
• Terry Pilkadaris
• Ewan Porter
• Adam Scott
• John Senden
• Paul Sheehan
• Matthew Zions