Golf Vic Vol 60 No 1

isps handa vic open by Martin Blake Photography: Paul Shire LAW’S EAGLE LANDS The 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open was billed as the start of a new era for the event, with European and LPGA Tour co-sanctioning for the first time, $3 million prizemoney split equally between the men and women, and the ABC and Fox Sports mounting the first live broadcast of the modern era. It was the arrival of the Vic Open as an international event and the progression of what was once a state Open to the big league. What remained was to see if it could match up to the promise. And the reality is that the tournament delivered in every way. It’s only getting bigger and better. The men’s Open was first run in 1957 but has rarely been staged with such non-stop drama. From the diabolical conditions of Saturday and the carnage at the Beach course’s little par-three seventh, surely one of the best short par-threes in the world and a masterpiece created by architect Tony Cashmore. To the mettle shown by Aberdeen’s David Law, a previously unheralded Scottish player who hit the best shot of his career at the par-five 18th on the final day, rolled in the eagle putt and turned the men’s tournament on its head. From the unforeseeable and unfortunate meltdown of the men’s leader, Wade Ormsby, whose double bogey at the 17th hole on the final day opened the door for Law. To the almost unthinkable, record- equalling nine-birdie run by New South Welshman James Nitties on the Beach course on the opening day. Crowds were up every day, especially for the final round when they formed that magnificent amphitheatre around the 18th green for David Law to conjure his little miracle and launched a roar as Law’s putt dropped that the Scotsman, for one, will never forget. The men’s side of the ISPS Handa Vic Open was drama-packed from day one to the final hole. MARTIN BLAKE reports on an amazing victory and an event that just gets bigger and better. Scotland’s David Law needed eagle on the last … and got it. Golf Victoria 9