The draw is out for the 2018 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth as players get set for three rounds of stroke play, followed by a thrilling final day of 15 six-hole match play matches.
All 156 players will compete over the first two days, with a normal “top 65 and ties” cut after play on Friday. Those players will then play one more round of stroke play, hoping to secure one of the 24 knock-out places for Sunday’s shootout format. In the result of any ties after three days, a sudden-death play-off will decide who advances.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how the draw for Thursday’s opening round looks.
The opening shot of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth will be hit at 6.40am on Thursday morning by 48 year oldStephen Leaney. The veteran Australian has four European Tour wins and 14 worldwide victories to his name and will lead the tournament off alongside England'sRichard McEvoy and fellow-AussieDaniel Fox.
The marquee group of Thursday morning will see the defending championBrett Rumfordtee off withAndrew Johnston and Lee Westwoodat 7.00am on the back nine. Rumford led the field after three rounds twelve months ago and remained undefeated in Sunday shootout to win his sixth European Tour title. Both Johnston and Westwood will be making their tournament debuts and hope to learn Rumford’s formula from last year around Lake Karrinyup CC.
Fresh off a top three finish in Malaysia, New Zealand’sRyan Foxwill get his tournament underway at 7.20am on the back nine with AmericanDavid Lipskyand Australia’sMatthew Griffin for company on the first two days. Fox led the European Tour in driving distance in 2017, with an average tee shot of 318 yards and with the hard and fast conditions expected in Perth, keep a look out for Fox on any par fives this week.
Moving to the afternoon groupings, 2016 Masters championDanny Willett joins UBS Hong Kong Open winnerWade Ormsby and four-time European Tour championThorbjorn Olesenon the first tee at midday. Willett is making his debut in Perth, while both Ormsby and Olesen competed twelve months ago, with the Australian falling in the quarter-finals on Sunday to eventual winner Brett Rumford.
At 12.20pm on the first tee, Thailand’sKiradech Aphibarnratwill set off, in hope of ticking off another country in which he has won on the European Tour. Currently, the 28 year old’s three European Tour victories have come in Malaysia, Scotland and China. He’ll be looking to add Australia to that list on Sunday night and will play his opening two rounds with localsLucas Hebert and Adam Bland.
To see a full list of groups and tee times,click here.
