AT odds nearing 1001-1, former Wentworth Golf Club member Sam Phillips isn’t expected to grab the attention of heavy favourites Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott throughout the 2014 Australian Open, teeing off today in Sydney.
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But odds don’t appear to worry Phillips.
“People probably don’t realise how hard it is to get in this position,” friend and Wentworth professional Todd Brakenridge said.
“We worked out the odds the other day - there’s six players out of the 220-odd pre-qualifiers that make it.
“It’s hard, and he’s earned his spot. He’s enjoying his moment in the sun.
“He’s truly the envy of every pro at the moment.”
Both Brakenridge and fellow Wenty professional Todd Iffland attempted to be in the position Phillips has found himself in this week, but, as Brakenridge said, the standard of golf at the Australian Open qualifiers was of such a level both battled to seriously contend for a spot on the card.
“It’s an 18-hole shoot-out, and if you turn after nine one or two-over, you’re gone,” Brakenridge said, the Wenty pair playing at Ryde-Parramatta Golf Course in a bid to make it the open.
Phillips qualified through Carnarvon Golf Club.
“The winner at our course shot seven-under, and second shot six-under,” he continued.
Phillips won the 2005 Wentworth A grade club championship with a 4 and 3 victory over Craig Stojanovic, but today he’ll tee-off alongside Ju-Hyuk Park and Ryan Carter at the Australian Golf Club.
Brakenridge was expecting Phillips to put together two solid rounds of golf today and tomorrow with one eye on making the cut.
“He hits it a long way, and the Australian Golf Club has been redesigned by Jack Newton and it now looks really long. He won’t see anything he hasn’t seen before, but it’s about the moment and how he handles that,” Brakenridge added.
“I think his first goal would be making the cut, then every shot after that is dollars. But he’s already achieved plenty just by being there.
“The experience he’ll get is unbelievable.”
Phillips tees off on the 10th from 8.35am today.