Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland revealed after the competition’s conclusion on the weekend that questions remain over the future direction of the Australian Open tournament.
The main talking point was the dual-gender format, with both male and female stars critical of the schedule, and Sutherland responding that going back to separating the competing genders would not be an easy fix.
The tournament’s main drawcard, Queenslander and British Open champion Cameron Smith, criticised the Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club structure, saying the men and women playing together made it “a long week.”
“I have asked that question [on both genders competing on the same days] and I haven’t got any answers from the higher-uppers, so it is probably unfair for me to answer for them. It’s a long week out here. I’ll just say that,” Smith said.
On Nov. 1, Smith also said he questioned tournament officials about whether the course was prepared softer and slower to assist the female players.
“It’s a question I have asked consecutively about course set-up, and we have had some conversations with it, and it was the same again this year, so I am not sure on the reason,” he said.
Sutherland responded that he admitted the ideal situation would be to play the dual-format competition at a 36-hole course such as Royal Melbourne or Peninsula-Kingswood.
Royal Melbourne has long been ranked the number one course in Australia and among the top 10 courses in the world.
Sutherland added that a call on whether the tournament would remain in Victoria was yet to be made, and further talks with the Victorian government were set to occur.
The former Cricket Australia boss said Golf Australia was aware of the views of Smith and other drawcard players who echoed his thoughts. It assessed a range of concerns, including that the women’s tournament had struggled financially as a standalone event.
The men and women both play for $1.7 million purses.
Sutherland also defended his organisation after suggesting that it does not listen to players’ concerns about the timing and format of the event.
“Any suggestions that we sit idly in our offices and make decisions about these events without talking to players and their representatives is just categorically untrue,” he said.
“We’ve spent time with players this week and their representatives this week, and we will continue to do that. Some of them know more than others where we are at with all of that.
“The simple solution would be to separate (the men and women) and let’s go back to great events like that.
“But it’s not quite that easy because there are a lot of very, very important stakeholders who bring this event together and make it economically viable, financially sustainable, and also sustainable in terms of getting the outcomes we want.”
Dual-Gender Format Good for Live Fans, Not TV
The final women’s group of Jiyai Shin, Ashleigh Buhai, and Australian Hannah Green teed off almost two hours before the final men’s group.That would create a separation between the respective competitions.
But this meant the women had walked through seven holes when the television broadcast began at 1 p.m.
It also meant an incredible approach-shot eagle by Shin was not shown live.
This was the third year men, women, and all-abilities players were simultaneously featured on the same courses.
It meant the spectator galleries were impressive because fans had the chance to watch both Smith and Green on the same day.
But Smith’s criticism of the tournament setup means the Australian Open organisers have a lot to consider before the 2026 edition.
American Ryggs Johnston, and Koreans Jiyai Shin and Simon Seungmin Lee, were the respective 2024 Australian Open men’s, women’s, and all-abilities champions.
