TOURNAMENT DETAILS
Course: The Australian Golf Club, Bannerman Crescent, Rosebery
Par: 71
Course length: 6591 metres (3348 metres out and 3243 metres in)
Cut: Top 60
Prize money: $1.25 million
Defending champion: Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)
Transport: No public parking is available. Free shuttle buses will run daily to and from Mascot train station from 6am-7pm on Thursday and Friday. Bus route 301 operates regularly in the area.
THREE KEY HOLES
4th: The 186-metre par 3 plays longer than it indicates when the southerly is in full swing. Club selection is critical with a narrow green protected by water on the right and bunkers either side. Finding the trap on the back left makes for a tricky play out of the beach with an overcooked bunker shot likely to slide off the back and into the water.
14th: Reverted back to a 510-metre par 5 instead of the intended par 4, meaning birdie will be a must here in order to shoot low. The southerly can make this hole play longer than it shows on the scorecard, but most should have no problems reaching the green in two if Wednesday's Pro-Am was any guide. One of only three par fives on the entire course.
18th: Regardless of the gallery which usually smothers this hole, the 478-metre par 5 finisher presents its own unique challenges. A stray tee shot either right or left will be punished, particularly on the left where an enormous fairway bunker snakes its way alongside the fairway. Reaching the green in two is almost definitely out of the equation from there. An iron can be used to find prime real estate down the left hand side of the hole for a short approach with the third or those who try to reach the green in two will be forced to carry a tricky water hazard on the right which shields a typically testing green.
THE BIG NAMES
Rory McIlroy: The world No.1 returns to Sydney after snatching the Australian Open crown at the final hole from Adam Scott last year. He's been in sensational form since winning the the Australian Open at Royal Sydney 12 months ago and returns as the favourite.
Adam Scott: There's no doubt Scott will be desperate to make amends for his disappointing finish at the Australian Open last year. He virtually surrendered the Triple Crown last year on the final day at Royal Sydney, giving up five shots to McIlroy when he had one hand on the trophy.
Jordan Spieth: The American comes into the Australian Open as the world No.14. He almost became the youngest Masters champion in the history of the tournament, however lost the lead to Bubba Watson in the back nine on the final day to finish tied for second.
TEE-OFF TIMES
First group in the morning tees off at 6.45am and the last of the morning session at 8.50am. Afternoon groups commence play from 11.45am with the last trio to hit fairways at 1.50pm.
KEY GROUPS
10th tee: Jarrod Lyle, Brett Rumford, Greg Chalmers (6.55am)
10th tee: Rory McIlroy, Geoff Ogilvy, Matt Jones (7.05am)
10th tee: John Senden, Blake McGrory, Lucas Herbert (am) (7.15am)
10th tee: Peter Lonard, Stephen Allan, James Nitties (7.45am)
1st tee: Robert Allenby, Rod Pampling, Matthew Griffin (11.55am)
1st tee: Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Nick Cullen (12.05pm)
1st tee: Boo Weekley, Steven Bowditch, Brendon de Jonge (12.15pm)
1st tee: Craig Parry, Cameron Smith, Peter Fowler (12.45pm)
BROADCAST DETAILS
TV: Live on Seven from 12pm-5pm
Radio: Live AO Radio on free headsets for on-course spectators or through phone and tablet applications or www.emiratesaustralianopen.com.au
