Australian Open: Organisers postpone November event

The Australian Open will not be played in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matt Jones with the Stonehaven Cup after winning the 2019 Australian Open Golf Championships at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The Australian Open will not be played in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scheduled for November at Kingston Heath, Golf Australia operations manager Simon Brookhouse remains very hopeful that the national championship, the fifth oldest in professional golf, could be played early next year.

The impact of travel restrictions on the playing field, with any potential big name drawcards unlikely to be able to play, as well as the re-scheduling of the US Masters for the middle of November played a large role in the decision.

It will be the first time since World War II, the Australian Open, won last year by Matt Jones, won’t be held in a calendar year.

“These are very challenging times for all Australians and the uncertainty the global pandemic has caused makes it very difficult to be definitive in relation to future dates at this time,” Brookhouse said.

We couldn't wait to get to @KingstonHeathGC this year, but unfortunately we'll have to wait a little longer... 😥

🗞 https://t.co/4oKfeqy4QZ pic.twitter.com/sjLP4lwLwE

— #AusOpenGolf (@AusOpenGolf) July 27, 2020

“We will continue our positive ongoing discussions with our major stakeholders which include the Victorian Government, our corporate partners, the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and other international tours about potential dates. However, it must be noted that there are many unknowns at the moment, which is problematic.”

Multiple dates were discussed as the situation in Victoria intensified. But Brookhouse said public health considerations had been the main reason behind making the decision to postpone.

“Then, when you consider the rescheduled major championships, particularly the (US) Masters from 12-15 November, assembling the customary world-class field was also becoming increasingly difficult,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter of whether or not we could co-ordinate any international stars to visit. The uncertainty of the quarantine requirements for any players coming from outside Australia needed to be considered. These requirements would undoubtedly have an impact on our homegrown heroes before they would be able to consider playing, too,” he said.

“With all that in mind, we would like to think we could still play the Australian Open this summer and will work with the host, Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club, to find a date suitable for all.

“However it may have to be in the January-March 2021 window with so many variables still to play out.”