Dodt on Aussie Open path

Dodt keen to retain his touch at this week’s Australian Open

Gatton’s Andrew Dodt will take his good form into this week’s Australian Open in Sydney. Picture: EBONY GRAVEUR

GOLF : Andrew Dodt is hoping confidence and momentum will prove to be two major pluses when he looks to turn his Australian Golf Club fortunes around this week.

The former champion Gatton junior continues his home-soil summer campaign in the $1.5 million Australian Open hitting off tomorrow in Sydney.

Dodt began his Aussie tour on a sensational note at last week’s New South Wales Open where he fired a course-record round of 11-under-par 61 at Twin Creeks Golf Club to lead the tournament at the halfway mark.

Dodt shot scores of 72 and 73 in his final two rounds to finish the Open in fifth place.

While last week’s finishing effort robbed Dodt of a golden opportunity to claim another major title, he will take plenty of positives into this week’s event which boasts an international field headed by defending champion Abraham Ancer of Mexico.

Other visiting players include Spain’s Masters-winner Sergio Garcia, England’s Paul Casey, South African Louis Oosthuizen fellow South Africa’s Ernie Els, South Korea’s KJ Choi and Canada’s Mike Weir.

“At first I was a little disappointed with my finish last week,” Dodt.

“To shoot 11 under in round two and then finish one over in my final two rounds when in a winning position was not the way you want to finish a tournament.

“But I can see it both ways. I did play some good golf to finish fifth, only four shots from the winner.

“If you ask any golfer before a tournament would they be happy to take a fifth-place finish and I’m pretty sure most would say yes.”

Dodt’s touring year has been marred by a back injury which sidelined him for three months from April.

The interrupted schedule might now come back to help him as he looks to finish 2019 on a good note.

“I’m feeling pretty fresh after a year where I didn’t play for three months,” Dodt said.

“It’s nice to have that momentum I gained last week behind you as well.

“I haven’t had much success at the Australian course, but I was younger then without the knowledge and experience I have now.

“With a better game plan in place this week I’m confident I can have another good tournament.”