Minjee Lee poses with the trophy after winning the US Women’s Open at Pine Needles in June.Credit:Getty
But with differences in long-hitting power,Golf Australia,the WPGA and the PGA of Australia have spent considerable time working out how to best accommodate both genders on the two Australian Open courses. Taking into account data on average distances of male and female professionals,and the specific layouts of the two venues,experienced tournament director Trevor Herden built the courses.
Women’s tee boxes are further up fairways,or,in some instances,players use the same tees,but with males playing a par four and women a par five. Pin placements will also account for most women not having the force to spin the ball as much as men.
“I guess our goals are we want the winning scores from the men’s and women’s to be fairly similar if we can,and to give the players the opportunities to hit the same clubs into greens. So to try and make it as equal as we could and as fair as we can,” Lunn said.
“There are obviously going to be compromises on both sides. The men are used to playing pin positions that are super,super tough,especially on the weekends,tucked behind bunkers and so on. The compromise might be that pin might be one metre more towards the middle of the green.
“And the women’s course will be a little bit shorter than they’re used to playing,just because we want them to have the same opportunity to be hitting similar clubs into the green,and scoring as well as the men do. We know from a skill level that the women are just as good as the men,at this very top level. We just want to give them the opportunity to show their talent.”
A decision will be made next week about whether the men’s or women’s tournament will finish first,and thus have the notional indignity of being ushered off to allow the next tournament to finish. Organisers say both champions will be honoured on their own subsequently,in a joint ceremony.
There have been some grumbles about Australian golf’s progressive change,with former Olympian Scott Hend boycotting the event because he thinks “both men and women should have their own week to stand out and shine by themselves”.
Min Woo Lee was right at home at Augusta National finishing 14th at this year’s Masters.Credit:AP
“Scott is entitled to his opinion and he is a nice bloke so I am not going to bag him,” Lunn said.
“But I don’t understand his perspective on this because they are still two completely separate events. There will be two trophies. I don’t really understand where he is coming from.”
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A 12-player All Abilities Australian Open will also be held alongside the men’s and women’s tournaments.
“We are going to see some fantastic golf,men’s and women’s and all in the same place,and that’s really refreshing given what’s been going on in world golf the last six months,” Lunn said.
“To have all of the top Aussie girls and all of the top Aussie boys in the fields,and all playing together,it is a dream for us really.”
Watch the Australian PGA Championship on the 9Network and9Now from November 24-27.