Getting In The Mood: The Australian Open At The Lakes

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Hard to believe it was only a year ago one of the wackiest golf tournaments was held at The Lakes, but the Emirates Austrlian Open returns to the super-cool Mike Clayton-renovated course with not nearly as stellar as a field as 2011. That's because the Presidents Cup hasn't lured some big name Americans Down Under.
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Golf Channel Records Big Numbers Down Under

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I'm a little unclear which telecasts these are since the events started airing on Wednesday and Thursday, but either way, the numbers from Golf Channel are impressive:

Headlined by Tiger Woods and as a lead-in to our exclusive coverage of The Presidents Cup this week, the Thursday and Friday’s opening rounds of Australian Open pulled some great numbers on air and online, proving our strategy a success:
 
Round One garnered 396,000 average viewers (0.4 household rating).

·         Up 212% from same week in 2010 (JB Were Masters Round One)
·         Up 146% from same week in 2009 ( also JB Were Masters Round One)
·         3rd-highest non-PGA TOUR Round One on Golf Channel this year.
 
Traffic on GolfChannel.com also garnered some impressive numbers.  On Thursday, November 10, online traffic (1.2 million page views) experienced its busiest day since the new site launched in June, exceeding the busiest days of the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
 
Preliminary numbers for Australian Open Round two attracted 447,000 average viewers (0.5 household rating)
·         Up 105% from 2010 JB Were Masters Rd 2
·         Up 22% from 2009 JB Were Masters Rd 2
·         3rd-highest non-PGA TOUR Round Two on Golf Channel this year.
 
On Friday, November 11, GolfChannel.com continued the momentum for online traffic (1.1 million), experiencing the one of the busiest days since the new site launch, second only to previous day which broke all records.

Allenby Looking Forward To Getting On "Real" Greens

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He might have an ounce of credibility if he even tried to play ready golf, didn't use some sort of hideous claw putting grip or if he displayed even a semblance of game to justify his Presidents Cup selection. Nonetheless, I share this because the greens are just fine to great considering the severity of Tuesday's storms, so slide this into the spoiled children files...from an AAP report:

Allenby, a controversial International team captain's pick for next week's Presidents Cup, sounded happy to leave The Lakes and head to hometown Melbourne to get some early practice at the Cup venue.

"I'm not quite at my absolute best but I'll have the whole weekend at Royal Melbourne," Allenby said after shooting 73 for a 4-over-par 148 total.

"I played a lot better today, drove it better (but) putting on these greens isn't going to do you any favours.

"I'm happy to get down there (to Royal Melbourne) and putt on some real greens."

O'Malley Putting With His Eyes Closed

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Glenn Jackson explains master ball striker Peter O'Malley's current method of putting, which has him one back heading into the weekend at the Australian Open.

''The advantage I get is knowing where to hit tee shots,'' O'Malley said. ''I've got no advantage on the greens because I've got no idea what they're doing sometimes.''

He misread several putts yesterday but has certainly improved on the greens, largely thanks to his quirky technique, which he introduced to his game last year. O'Malley did not miss any putts from two metres or less yesterday, all of which he undertook with his eyes closed, which means he can be more aggressive with his putting.

''It takes away the visual anxiety,'' O'Malley said. ''I am not seeing what the putter is doing so I don't feel any anxiety over it. I just close my eyes and let it flow.''

The Aussies Do Efficient Scoring Signage

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This is a post for all of the standard bearers of the world.

Doug Ferguson pointed out the cleverly designed scoreboards here at the Australian Open. The volunteers do not have to access different numbers and keep red and black ones straight, but instead just need to flick little slits from white to black to update scores. While the signs are a lot heavier than the American versions we see, they are far superior on an efficiency basis.

They also have clever on-course leaderboards that use the same system featuring a handy design that easily lets the volunteer lower and raise the board to update scores.

Video demonstration:

 

A Few Early Round Tiger Observations

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With Tiger vaulting to the top of the Australian Open leaderboard, it's hardly a revelation to say his game is rounding into shape. But even before he ran off birdies at the 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th holes to post an opening 32, he's exuding much more confidence and focus than even a month ago when he played at CordeValle.

Despite the glacial pace and anti-ready golf of playing partners Jason Day and Robert Allenby, Woods' swing and body language looked as comfortable as I've seen in some time. 

His short game is looking better, highlighted by a brilliant lob wedge on the par-5 11th hole (his second hole of the day). He missed the birdie putt, but the shot was a far cry from some of the lousy short game antics he's displayed in the last year or so. 

One thing to look for and I haven't a clue what it means: a Gary Player-like follow through where his right foot and hip gently spin through after impact. Twice it happened on downhill lies, but he also sported one flat lie and I wonder if it's a move to take a little pressure off his right knee leg?

A few images from early in the round (click on them to enlarge) hopefully captures the energy and passion of Aussie golf, where the spectators are very supportive of Woods: