While all eyes will be on the Mission Hills World Cup on it's new lava strewn course on spectacular Hainan Island in Southern China, there is another important event on the Australasian Tour on the Hyatt Regency Coolum course about 90 miles north of Brisbane, and International Team captain Greg Norman wants it to be even more important.
Last week in Melbourne he was preaching the gospel about Australian golf capitalizing on the world focus at the Presidents Cup to bring the top players on an annual basis.
This week, despite one of the strongest Australian fields in recent times, only Bubba Watson of the US team has stayed to play, and Rickie Fowler is also in the field along with 7 of the International team including Norman.
" I spoke to all the guys from the US team and they all said they would have no problem staying here for another week or so. It is up to the Australian PGA to make sure they do" said Norman. " It has been a great event in the past and it can be again"
Organizers would have to dig into their Coca Cola sponsors pockets to cough up the appearance fees that the winning US Team could demand. ( Tiger is reportedly receiving $3m to start up his 2012 season in Dubai)
John Daly was in the field until his meltdown at the Aussie Open led to his invitation being revoked. By the way, he was then offered a spot in this week's South African Open which he has turned down, but will play next week in Hong Kong.
Open champion Darren Clarke is also in the field, although he has been playing like a diddy since his win.
Peter Senior is the defending champion and will have stiff competition from Adam Scott, Jason Day, Aaron Baddeley, KT Kim, YE Yang, along with Watson,Fowler and Aussie Open winner Greg Chalmers just to name a few.
The bookies have Adam Scott at +600, Geoff Ogilvy +800, Jason Day +900, Aaron Baddeley +1200 with John Senden and Rickie Fowler at +1400 and Bubba +1600
Aussie PGA tee times http://www.pga.org.au/teetimes/714
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles
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