A fortnight of U.S. Open golf played at Pinehurst in 2014 left an impression on Geoff Ogilvy. The Australian pro, who owns 12 worldwide victories (the 2006 U.S. Open among them), called it a revelation in a letter he penned for LPGA.com this week as the LPGA’s ISPS Handa Vic Open plays out at 13th Beach Golf Links in Melbourne, Victoria.
“Not only could the men and women compete on the same course, they could do it under virtually identical conditions,” Ogilvy wrote on the subject of equal-opportunity golf.
That’s a particularly relevant concept this week considering that the Vic Open is being played in Melbourne alongside the European Tour event of the same name. Women and men compete for equal prize money.
Nichols: Vic Open puts men, women on equal footing and at many of the same tees
Ogilvy’s guest column ran on the LPGA’s web site under the headline “The sum of mixed golf is worth more than its separate parts.” In it, he explains the evolution of his status as a women’s golf fan. At first, he just watched the majors – notably the ANA Inspiration and the U.S. Women’s Open. Now he gets a front-row seat at the Vic Open, he says.
“The Vic Open should open people’s eyes to the fact that our game is full of amazing golf talent. It also proves that women and men playing together can work. Tennis has been doing it for years and has clearly benefited from it.”
In the piece, Ogilvy references rounds with So Yeon Ryu, a two-time major winner, and fellow Australian Su Oh. Their consistency and efficiency impressed him, but the same can be said for many others this week.
“When I’m at a golf tournament now, I’m watching other people play just as much as I’m playing myself,” Ogilvy wrote. “Last year at the Vic Open and again this week, I found that all I wanted to do was watch the women and how they went about it. Some of them are just machines. They don’t hit bad shots. I watched one after another hit hybrids onto greens to 10 feet. Men don’t play that way. When I hit a hybrid, I’m happy to hit it anywhere on the green. So, for those who haven’t watched the best women in the game, there is something to be learnt from both men and women, and there’s enjoyment in watching both styles of play.”
Madelene Sagstrom and Haeji Kang were tied for the lead at the LPGA’s event at 8 under, with rookie Haley Moore just two shots back at 6 under. Jarryd Felton and Sean Crocker lead the European Tour event after opening-round 67s.
Ogilvy is 12th after an opening 67.
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