Reminder: Victoria GC And The Australian Women's Open

Live tonight on Golf Channel, 8 pm PT, the great Victoria Golf Club can be seen for the first time since the 2011 Australian Masters when play kicks off in the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open.

Victoria has been lovingly restored by architect Mike Clayton and his team.

Here is my last DVR alert post on Victoria from two years ago.
Cheyenne Woods, last week's winner, is in the field.

Also entered are Stacy Lewis, Lydia Ko and Karrie Webb.

Golf Australia Boss Already Prepping Big 2014 Checks!

From Glenn Jackson in the Sydney Morning Herald following Rory McIlroy's thrilling win over Adam Scott at picturesque Royal Sydney:

Golf Australia boss Stephen Pitt says he'll break the bank to lure Scott and McIlroy back next year. ''People want to see their heroes and role models and it really drives the game forward,'' said Pitt.

''Scott's win at Augusta created such a huge global platform for him to speak and he spoke so eloquently about Australia and golf and that's so valuable for Australia as a nation.

''He's exciting to watch, a good looking, eloquent young man that's captivated the sporting audience. I think he's now considered to be the most likeable sporting person in the country.''
McIlroy said he hoped to return next year. ''I always try to come back and defend where I've won,'' he said.

Note to Adam and Rory: the event moves to twice-redesigned-by-Jack-Nicklaus-The-Australian. Hold out for the big bucks!

Adam & Rory Set For Australian Open Weekend Duel

After a second round 65 at Royal Sydney Rory McIlroy has moved to within two shots of leader Adam Scott, reports Martin Blake.

Scott is making his final start of 2013 and attempting to win the Australian triple crown after capturing the Australian Masters and Australian PGA.

Also of note: U.S. Amateur semi-finalist Brady Watt is tied for fifth at six-under par and 15-year-old Ryan Ruffels, who was discussed on this week's State of the Game, also made the cut. Mike Clayton reports on Ruffels' impressive second round 68.

State Of The Game 32: Australia 2013 In Review

We recorded this week's State of the Game just a few hours before Adam Scott played one of the more amazing rounds of the year--62 at Royal Sydney with six birdies to start, four to finish--but we talk with Mike Clayton about his impressive play at the even more impressive Royal Melbourne.

Other topics covered include Royal Melbourne's design and setup, Rory McIlroy's game as seen up close by Clayton and 15-year-old amateur Ryan Ruffels.

As usual you can access all episodes here on the State of the Game webpage, or on iTunes.

Or for this week's episode you can download the mp3 here or, subscribe/listen on iTunes. Or here:

Video: Discussing Royal Melbourne On Morning Drive

I know most of you have taped this segment, relived it over and over again and bookmarked it, but just in case here is Morning Drive from November 21 with Gary Williams and Paige Mackenzie talking about the first, third and eleventh of the Royal Melbourne composite course in use for the World Cup this week.