Why Melbourne’s weather could cause havoc for world’s top golfers

Royal Melbourne boss Michael Burgess is adamant the course will be in top condition for the Australian Open by the weekend despite torrential rain during the leadup, but conceded the champion field would find the conditions softer than normal for Thursday’s opening round.

Last year’s Open at nearby Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs, was marred by criticism (led by British Open champion Cam Smith) of the soft greens, which were thought to be prepared for the dual-gender format.

The men’s and women’s events have since been split, with the women’s Open returning to Adelaide in March next year.

Heavy rain battered Royal Melbourne on Monday as superstars Rory McIlroy, Smith and Lucas Herbert walked the course, with more wet weather expected before Thursday.

Burgess, the general manager of Royal Melbourne, said the players may have to wait until the weekend for the firm, fast greens they crave.

“It’s been a cool spring; 144 millimetres in November, 10 more overnight, we are going to need a warm wind to get that firmness back into the greens, especially,” he told this masthead.

“[A forecast] 29 degrees on Wednesday, 32 and hot northerlies on Thursday, the course you see on Thursday morning compared to what you see in the afternoon will be different. You’ll just see it dry out nicely.”

There has been speculation that some areas of grass, especially the fringes of some greens, have been in patchy condition in the months leading up to the tournament, with golfers trading photos.

However, Burgess said it was no longer an issue.

“The spring growth was good … the coverage is great now,” he said.

Australian golfer Marc Leishman said he was not worried about the condition of the composite course, which was a drawcard for McIlroy to sign up for his first Australian Open since 2014.

Rory McIlroy walks the course at Royal MelbourneCredit: Jason South

“I would think [it will be ready] … I’ve heard [the speculation of patchy fringes] but I’m sure they’ll have it good, Royal Melbourne will get it up to what you’d expect, I’m sure,” Leishman, fresh from a third-place finish at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, told this masthead.

Leishman, a six-time winner on the PGA Tour and a man who’s finished inside the top 15 of all four majors, couldn’t be more excited to take on McIlroy at Royal Melbourne.

“I’m pumped. I grew up watching Aussie Opens at Royal on the sandbelt. I’m looking forward to playing a firm Royal Melbourne, hopefully.”

Marc Leishman (left) has heard the rumours, but isn’t concerned.Credit: Getty Images

“From what I hear, there’s a lot of people travelling into Melbourne to watch [McIlroy] and I think the crowds will be big.

“It’s great for the tournament to have a buzz around it. I know there are a lot of guys who really wanted to come and play but they didn’t get a start. So, the demand is back for people wanting to come down and play.”

Leishman said McIlroy’s attendance at the Australian Open for the next two years would encourage other global stars to make the journey.

“If they keep picking good venues. I think the sandbelt adds that little bit extra, particularly Melbourne. An Australian Open and Royal Melbourne certainly creates a buzz,” he said.

Leishman, 42, relishes the chance to play close to home, which is Warrnambool. Playing the Australian Open, having already played the Australian PGA last week and the WA Open last month, is important to him because it enables him to give back to Australian golf.

While players have been criticised for defecting to the Saudi-run LIV Golf, Leishman says it has allowed him to do more to promote Australian golf.

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After the Australian Open, Leishman will head to Cathedral to play in the club’s second invitational event alongside Adam Scott and Lucas Herbert.

Then he will head to the Mornington Peninsula for the Victorian PGA at Moonah Links.

“Now I’ve got the time to do it, which is nice. Yeah, it’s definitely important to me,” Leishman said.

“Plus, it’s good for me too, to be able to come home, selfishly. I really enjoy it.”

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Leishman has been playing in the Australian Ripper GC team in LIV for a little over three years.

He’s been able to play with two of his closest mates, Smith and Herbert, without the stress and the week-to-week grind of the PGA Tour.

Since LIV was established, one of the major criticisms was that players wouldn’t have the same desire to perform in the majors, because of the guaranteed money at LIV.

But Leishman was the only one of eight Australians to make the cut at the Open Championship in July, in difficult conditions at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

“I’m enjoying my golf as much as I ever have,” he said.

“Obviously, you want to play well wherever you play. But, when you’re enjoying your golf, the bad shots … they still bother you, but it’s easier to get over them, if that makes sense, so that it doesn’t impact the next shot.

“I’m playing a little less, the body is feeling better … yeah, I’m just loving it.”

Is the fresh enjoyment purely down to the transition to LIV?

“I think it’s just playing less golf. I think I’ve always said I really enjoyed my time on the PGA Tour and I am loving LIV, especially the teams side of it. But I think just playing less golf.

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“I’m very lucky to be a professional golfer and do what I love for a living, but when you do so much of it, like I was, it can get a little tiring. But now I’m enjoying it as much as I ever have.”

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