Tiger Already Looking Forward To Kingston Heath

I know, I know, the HSBC event comes first and we should be celebrating a World Golf Championship event played outside the U.S. (Joel Shuchman shares some sights and sounds in this PGATour.com story). 

But we're also talking about a country that bans my blog and well, doesn't have a course like Kingston Heath. Which, incidentally, Tiger Woods is pining to play.

"As far as next week, I don't know a lot about the golf course other than the guys have generally said it's either one or two on their list of venues in Melbourne," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting down there for the first time and taking a look at it and seeing how it figures -- how to figure out how best to play the golf course."

He said what he liked best about Melbourne's golf courses was the bunkers, having previously played at the Royal Melbourne and the Huntingdale.

"Of all the courses that I've seen down there in Melbourne, I've always loved bunkering, some of the best bunkering in the world," he said. "From what the guys have said to me, Kingston Heath is no different."

Anticipation of Tiger's appearance may actually help pay off the big appearance fee since the Daily Telegraph reports that crowds up to 100,000 are expected to watch Tiger on big screens set up to help fill demand for the legions that can't get a ticket to Kingston Heath.

And for us here in the States, even better news: Golf Channel will be broadcasting the Australian Masters, starting Wednesday at 10 PM EST.

In other Australian golf news, Greg Norman pulled out of the Australian Open due to issues with his surgically-repaired shoulder.

Comments

[Roo]

Geoff,

Tiger's ball will be taking pictures of most of the bunkers at Kingston Heath as it flies over them. The course is playing very short as well. If they get good weather, somewhere around 20 under will win. Even a layout as great as KH has no defence now against the current technology.

[Longy]

Roo
It will be Tiger's "old" equipment that will get get the job done for him, his irons and putter. His driver won't help him, and if he gets out of position off the tee, he'll be looking in the trees for any old balatas he can find that might help him hold the greens.

[Which ex?]

I believe Norman has suggested it is his ex-wife's fault his shoulder hasn't repaired itself. Or was that his ex-ex-wife's? Can't keep up.

The greens at KHGC are slick. The 18th is the slowest (and newest) and that was 11.5 last night having been at 13 earier in the day. Apparently, the aim is to get them all to a consistent 12 by Thursday morning. Look out if the wind blows....

[Dick Mahoon]

Don't be fooled, this course may be short but it can be very tricky. That said, Tiger may play Kingston Heath a bit like he played Royal Lytham a few years ago. A clinical iron display is what I'm expecting.....oh his putter will have to work too.

DM

[titleist38]

DM- If Tiger plays Kingston Heath a bit like he played Royal Lytham a few years ago then he will be in a tie for 25th place, which was his finish that week. On the other hand if he gives a clinical iron display like he did at Royal LIVERPOOL in 2006 when he won, then he would expect a better result.

[court]

Can we not get TOO gung-ho about a WGC outside the US just yet ? They haven't always all been here - but the ones outside the States eroded because the top American players didn't want to travel to the UK and....South Africa (?).

Most telling line in the post..."we're also talking about a country that bans my blog..." THIS is what bothers me most about taking professional tournaments to China. It gives legitimacy to a country that oppresses its people. I couldn't believe that the Olympics were celebrated the way they were - work was done by conscription. Athletes produced by national sports factories. Communications out of the country were censored.

And, right in front of the entire world, China flaunted their philosophy of control by force. During the Opening Ceremonies - apparently unnoticed by the media - children carried the flag from one end of the field - but at midfield, the flag was taken over by goose stepping memebers of the military. No comments from NBC - who spent the entire hour breaking down the symbolism of every little motion - yet they skipped the most dangerous one of all ?

Geoff - Love that quote. How come it has two names attached to it ?

[Wisconsin Reader]

Let's not talk too much about requiring "freedom," "people oppression," "attacking and occupying other nations" or "civil liberties" tests as requirements for hosting World Golf Championships. . . Unless we are prepared to play them all in Switzerland.

[nick]

I think Kingston Heath has the most unique bunkering style of all the courses on the sandbelt- very intricate.... all except bunker in the middle of number 11 of course.

[Tim in Hoylake]

I was in the clubhouse at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) last week, looking at Tiger's score card and 2 -iron he left for posterity. I suppose the grooves on that baby would be considered illegal next time he plays here (2014?). Also my 2 bits on China - just hope they don't start making golf clubs or every manufacturer in the US will somewhat concerned... because they do not respect patents, business laws, or anything else, the bell will toll some day.

[Yankee Doodle]

Court,

If the WGC aren't to be held in a country that oppresses people, then why are they held in the grand US of A?

Millions of impoverished blacks, hispanics and whites are oppressed by being paid $5 bucks an hour. By being denied a good education. A health system.

And control by force? Ermm, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan?

[keith86]

Tim china make all the golf clubs now mate.Can't wait to see 50,000 pepole try to watch tiger on the first and second holes next week.We may even get some on free to air television, maybe live but don't put your last redback on that.

[Dick Mahoon]

titleist38 - thanks, it was Royal Liverpool......I was a wee bit drunk at the time of posting......

DM

[court]

Doodle - I must have missed that day in economics or poli sci where political oppression and conscription can be equated to people who have a choice to do things with their lives and don't. And minimum wage jobs aren't supposed to be supporting families. They are there as starter jobs to learn a skill or business. Your understanding of how the economy works and how businesses earn and pay needs a little help.

[Dezman]

Is Tiger "pining to play" Kingston Heath ??? I'm really not to sure about that one. The aussies had to shell out $3 Million USD to get his butt down under. Nuff said.

[ADK]

Dezman, Tiger has just topped $1 B in earnings. Whilst the course is short, it has only been increased by 150 metres in distance since something like the 1930's. Imagine what sort of beast it was when Nicklaus, Player, Ballesteros and co were playing it in the 70's and 80's. I doubt it is the money. In Australia, the hype is unbelievable. I just hope it is a tight finish with the course and weather providing a great test.