Stars fly in for Emirates Australian Open

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Stars fly in for Emirates Australian Open

By Christian Edwards (Xinhua) 08:59, November 26, 2013

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Local hope Adam Scott's skyrocketing popularity is changing the face of Aussie golf, according to Golf Australia boss Stephen Pitt, as the buildup to this week's Australian Open reaches levels of fairway-hysteria not seen since Greg 'The Great White Shark' Norman's heyday 20 years ago.

As the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris and Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Upton, rolled out the official red carpet for Rory McIlroy, Australian Open organizers were anticipating record crowds at Royal Sydney this week,

With the cream of world golf arriving in Sydney just days ahead of the tee-off for the Emirates Australian Open of Golf at the Royal Sydney Golf Club on Thursday, all eyes are looking to Scott to finish his momentous 2013 by adding the Australian Open to his stand out victories in the Australian PGA and Masters tournaments earlier this month.

Minister Souris told Xinhua this year's Australian Open has attracted a strong field including the evergreen Peter Senior who will be defending his Australian Open title against golfers of the calibre of Jason Day, Aaron Baddeley, Robert Allenby, John Senden, Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Nick O' Hern, Scott Gardiner, Cameron Percy, Craig Parry and Rod Pampling.

But golf fans were in no doubt about the true battle, as Mr Souris predicted.

"The battle between Rory and our own home grown hero and world number two, Adam Scott, will be something to thrill golf fans everywhere," he said.

Sydney has embraced the golf-madness that has gripped Australia since Scott's historic first US Masters winner with ticket sales already up 25 per cent on last year's Australian Open, while Adam Scott is already the toast of every pub from Bondi to Bankstown.

"Adam's presence is an enormous boost, it is the kind of boost we used to get back in the heyday when Greg Norman was in his absolute prime," said Aussie Golf Boss Pitt.

Pitt, the Golf Australia CEO added: "Wherever you are, if you can get to Royal Sydney Golf Club this week, you're in for a fantastic four days of golf action as the Adam Scott hype reaches fever pitch."

"The strength in this field is its depth and the international flavor. While we'll all be cheering Adam on to the Triple Crown, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and the multitude of leading Australian players will all have their own plans for the Stonehaven Cup."

Scott, who won his first Australian Open in 2009, is highly touted to stand aside Robert Allenby as the only Aussie to win the triple-crown in Australia's summer. Allenby - who is again back in the field this week - did it way back in 2005.

"This is the final tournament of the PGA Tour of Australasia season and it's great to see Sydney host this world-class event. Visitors coming to the Australian Open Golf in Sydney are in for a real treat to indulge their golfing passion," Mr Souris said.

"The NSW Government remains committed to the long term vision of showcasing the historic Australian Open and highlighting Sydney and NSW's stunning, world-class golf courses to the world."

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Upton, told reporters: "Australia has consistently produced world class golfers and sporting ambassadors, and this year promises to be an exciting and hotly contested Australian Open at Royal Sydney."

"Adam Scott has been in career-best form having earlier this year become the first Aussie to win the U.S. Masters.

This week, Scott will attempt to win the triple crown of Australian golf and just last month was awarded Australia's prestigious 'The Don Award' by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame - a first for any Aussie golfer.

The Emirates Australian Open begins Thursday in Sydney.