Nick Faldo
is highly likely to play in next month's Australian Golf Open at Royal
Sydney, reports said Monday.
Speaking after the
Michelob Championship in Virginia over the weekend, where he tied for fifth
Monday, he gave the strong impression he would be at Royal Sydney. Faldo
will be in Australia on other business during the event.
He has to visit Brisbane
as part of his sponsorship deal with Jaguar motor cars around the same
time, and he also plans to go to Melbourne to look at some land for a golf
course.
"You've got some
nice land and rumor has it there's enough for a Faldo golf course," Faldo
told Australian Associated Press.
The addition of six-time
major winner Faldo would be a big boost to the Australian Open, especially
as he appears to be coming back into form.
Meanwhile, Trinidad's
Stephen Ames is scheduled to play four Australian tournaments, starting
at the South Australian Open, but will cancel his trip if his sponsor agrees.
Ames will need to
play in Australia to complete his requirement with sponsor Callaway to
play 21 tournaments worldwide. If Callaway holds him to the deal, he will
be a reluctant visitor.
"It would be tough
for my wife and two kids for me to be away from home for almost five weeks,"
Ames said after tying for 13th at the Michelob tournament.
