The ISPS Handa Australian Open was unique. It had two courses, with all-abilities, men’s and women playing simultaneously. There were three great finishes on Sunday. But, the final round didn’t go well for the natives who played in their national open.
Adam Scott, 54-hole leader on the men’s side, struggled to a 2-over 72 due to a critical double-bogey at the par-4 17 th. The 2013 Masters champion signed for a par on Sunday after making eagle at 18 th his previous two rounds at Victoria Golf Club. Adrian Meronk on the other side, however, signed for a 4-under-66 to increase his winning margin by five shots to 14 under.
Another two Aussies were in the top five: Min Woo Lee, an Australian, placed third at 8 over, and Haydn BarronT-4 was at 7 under with Alejandro Canizares.
Meronk stated, “I’m so excited to finish on the 18th hole like that. It’s just unreal.”
“Pretty fast pace…great line!” This is how you end it! @AdrianMeronk concluded his week with a winning putt on the 72nd green. #AusOpenGolf pic.twitter.com/hrbjJZCHz0
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour December 4, 2022
Three Australian women finished Nos. Ashleigh Buhai won by one shot over Jiyai Shin at 12under. Shin missed a putt that would have forced a playoff. Ashleigh Buhai was ranked 3-5. Hannah Green was leading after 54 holes. However, Scott’s 2-over 72 on Sunday saw her drop off the pace and finish second at 10 over. Grace Kim was at 2 under through 15 holes of the final round, but a costly double-bogey par-5 18 th saw her return to even and place fourth at 9 under for tournament. Minjee Lee finished fifth at 8 under with a 1-under score of 71.
Kipp Popert won all-abilities with ease due to Sunday’s lone under par round, a 3-under 70. Current No. Popert was ranked No. 1 in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability after finishing the three-round event at 2 over, seven shots ahead of Kurtis Barkley, who was runner-up.
