Why Australian Open dual gender format could be here to stay

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland has hit back at criticism of the dual gender format, revealing the previous stand-alone women’s Australian Open had losses of close to $1 million per year.

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland has revealed the previous stand-alone women’s Australian Open had losses of close to $1 million per year as he hit back at criticism of the dual gender format.

In a wide-ranging media conference on the final day of play at Kingston Heath, Sutherland admitted “some leading men’s players don’t like” the current iteration of the Australian Open, which features men and women playing alongside each other.

It was the third year the events have been played concurrently.

Sutherland insisted his organisation hadn’t ruled out the Australian Open returning to separate events, as leading men’s players such as Adam Scott and Cameron Smith questioned the format.

Female stars Minjee Lee and Hannah Green arrived in Australia only 24 hours before the tournament started after wrapping up their LPGA commitments, and have argued for a date change to late in the Australian summer.

Sutherland stressed the national championship was left in a precarious position after Covid forced the cancellation of two men’s events and one women’s edition.

It returned as a dual gender format in 2022 to ensure its economic viability.

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland (R) has hit back at criticism.

“At the time the women’s event was losing close to seven figures,” Sutherland said.

“It was a pretty successful event on the surface, but financially it wasn’t. We had to start again.

“We have government partners and commercial partners that love this format.

“The simple solution is to separate them and go back to great events. But it’s not quite that easy because there’s a whole lot of very, very important stakeholders which bring this event together and make it economically viable and financially sustainable.”

Both the men’s and women’s purses are $1.7 million this week, and the female stars could face a significant cut if they were to revert to their own event.

Crowds were super in Melbourne across the weekend, but there is only a one-year Victorian government deal for the event to be played on the sandbelt. There is an option for it to be extended next year.

Jiyai Shin celebrates her Australian Open win on the 18th green. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

WPGA of Australia chief executive Karen Lunn said if the women’s event was co-sanctioned with the lucrative American-based tour and played separately, as per previous years, they would need to find $4.5 million in prize money before absorbing other operating costs.

“I’m a big believer in this [dual gender] event,” Lunn said. “I’m very supportive and completely on board. We’re here to ultimately grow the game and get more Australians playing.

“It’s much bigger than any of us as individuals, and that’s why I’ve been disappointed in some of the comments made this week.

“For just one week of your life, golf is the winner here. It may be the case the best way forward is to split the events, but I’ve been on board.”

Cameron Smith said the format made for a long week. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Sutherland said he doesn’t want to put the likes of Lee and Green through another tortuous travel schedule again, and would consider scouting a 36-hole course such as Royal Melbourne which could have different set-ups for men and women.

“The players are the stars of the show and they are incredibly important to us, and the way in which they support our event, at the end of a very long season for them, is incredible,” Sutherland said.

“As a single event or a multi event, this is a great celebration of golf, and Australian golf in particular. We want that to continue whether it’s together or separated.

“Some people may think we’re wedded to the three events being together, but that’s far from the truth.”