Australian Open Golf Championship Reverts to Separate Men's and Women's Events After Format Criticism
The prestigious ISPS Handa Australian Open is abandoning its mixed-format structure after three years following significant criticism from players and officials. The tournament, which combined men's and women's events across two courses since 2022, will return to separate competitions.
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Major concerns were raised by prominent figures in Australian golf, including PGA of Australia Chairman Ian Baker-Finch, who stated the combined format "diminished" both events. He suggested the women's tournament would benefit from better scheduling that aligns with the LPGA Tour calendar.
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Multiple players expressed frustration with the tournament conditions:
- Cameron Smith criticized the softer course conditions required to accommodate both events
- Hannah Green noted the "generous" pin placements needed for the format
- Smith further emphasized that the structure wasn't appropriate for the Australian Open's prestige
Golf Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland announced the change, highlighting that while the mixed-gender format achieved record crowds and broadcast audiences, separating the events will allow both championships to "stand on their own two feet and prosper in their own right."
Moving forward, the men's and women's Australian Opens will be held as independent tournaments, marking a return to the traditional format that had been in place prior to 2022.