Ogilvy lines up for shot at ISPS Handa Vic Open

11 Jan 2019

Media Release: There’s not much Geoff Ogilvy hasn’t done in golf.

But he’s about to chase a missing piece of his stellar career puzzle, confirming today that he’ll play in the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

Ogilvy, although a stalwart of the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia through the years, has been unable to play his home state Open since 1998 because of commitments in the United States. He was leading amateur in each of the three times he played the Open – in 1995, ’97 and ’98 – and was runner-up overall to Stephen Leaney at Victoria Golf Club in 1997.

Having moved home this summer, the 2006 US Open champion cannot wait to tee it up at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links from 7-10 February.

The former world No.3, a three-time WGC winner including two World Match Play crowns, will be the first men’s major champion to have played the event since Ian Baker-Finch in 1997.

“I’ve been really excited to watch the development of the Vic Open from afar for the past few years and I’m really excited that I get to play it again after all these years,” he said.

“With the men’s and women’s events held concurrently, it’s great to have the European and LPGA Tours aboard – it really shows how far the event has come and it’s great to see an Australian tournament have such focus for its innovation.”

Golf Australia operations general manager Simon Brookhouse said Ogilvy, who has already committed as Ernie Els’ vice-captain for the International team at this year’s Presidents Cup, would be a huge drawcard on the Bellarine Peninsula.

“We’ve all admired Geoff’s brilliant career, but for many it will be the first chance to see him live,” Brookhouse said.

“It’s testament to the tournament that he still harbours that desire to add to what is an amazing resume.”

Ogilvy, 41, has won eight times on the US PGA Tour, most recently in 2014, but has decided to come back to Melbourne to live with his young family.

“Geoff is a legend of Australian golf. We don’t have dozens of major champions, so to have one hopefully contending at the ISPS Handa Vic Open is absolutely fantastic for the tournament and its fans,” Brookhouse said.

“It’s a great opportunity for all Australians to celebrate his enormous career up close and personal at Thirteenth Beach.”

The ISPS Handa Vic Open is a unique concurrent men’s and women’s professional tournament. It is jointly sanctioned by the ALPG, LPGA, PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour and features equal prizemoney for men and women.

Entry is free to all Victorian golf club members, but other tickets are on sale through oTix and remain some of the best value in elite sport at $10 per day, $30 for a season pass. Children under 18 and those with a Seniors Card are free.