Words: Paul Prendergast
Photo: Mark Wilson – Golfplus Media
An historic Australian Open staged at the Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Clubs is in the books, following the conclusion of three concurrently-staged Open Championships won in spectacular fashion by Poland’s Adrian Meronk, South Africa’s Ashley Buhai and England’s Kipp Popert.
In the Men’s event, the Pole entered the day a shot behind home favourite Adam Scott but never looked back after a two-shot swing on the first hole had the Australian chasing for the remainder of the day.
With just a stroke in it playing the tricky short par-four 15th hole, Meronk showed class beyond his years with a spectacular long bunker shot that landed in the perfect spot to check and release to within two feet of the hole. The ensuing birdie opened up a two-stroke lead with three to play and when Scott blocked his tee shot out of bounds on the long 17th, the Stonehaven Cup was a virtual lock for the Pole.
The 29-year-old stormed home after an opening 73 with rounds of 66-63-66 to outplay Scott, clinching the title with a spectacular cross-green putt for an eagle on the 18th to signal his emergence as a new force in the game.
2023 European Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald would do well to find some coverage of Meronk’s play over the closing nine when in a near match play situation with Scott. Not once did the Pole’s routine or demeanor alter and he remained aggressive till the end to put all the pressure on Scott to respond in kind.
It’s hardly a coincidence to note on closer examination that in the three professional victories of his short career to date, Meronk has shot a final round 66 in each to claim the title.
In the Womens’ Open, current British Open champion Ashley Buhai showed her class to hold off a series of highly ranked players over the closing stages, including local threats Grace Kim, Minjee Lee and Hannah Green, to eventually win by one from Korean Jiyai Shin.
It signals the end of the finest year of the South African’s career and was extra emotional being able to share it with her husband on the bag and in the country she has been travelling to visit and play golf since she was of school age.
In the All Abilities Championship, it was world number one Kipp Popert who cruised to victory by seven shots on his first competitive visit to Australia, carding a 69 on Sunday to finish the week at two-under and win his fifth G4D Tour trophy after four victories in the inaugural season.
