Sports Technology

Australia continues to be at the cutting edge of innovation in golf with the introduction of the ‘PGA Open Mic’ during the FOX SPORTS broadcast of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

Driven by the PGA of Australia and FOX SPORTS, this initiative will see ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia players interact live with the commentary team over the coming days as they play their round allowing viewers to gain an insight into players’ thoughts as the play.

The innovation will see players interviewed by FOX SPORTS presenter Warren Smith, former pro and FOX SPORTS golf analyst Paul Gow, along with Warren Humphreys, Dom Boulet and Kate Burton from the commentary booth.

Gavin Kirkman, Chief Executive of PGA of Australia, owner of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, explains “golf needs to continue to innovate to stay relevant in the modern market. Fans increasingly want more insight into the game, watching a player hit a superb shot is no longer enough. We now want to know the thought process behind that shot.

“PGA Open Mic will allow fans an inside the ropes experience, from the comfort of their lounge room that they have never before experienced in golf. This is the first time this has ever been done in golf in Australia.

“This type of content has seen the broadcast of cricket enhanced dramatically. Fans love hearing from the players during the heat of the battle on the field of play. But it also helps the players express their personalities and enhance their reputations. This is a great initiative for everyone involved."

FOX SPORTS Head of Television, Steve Crawley added “it’s about giving fans an insight they wouldn’t normally get; to take them closer to the action and you can’t get much closer than hearing from the players as they walk down the fairway during play.

“This is a first of its kind for golf broadcasting in Australia and we can’t wait to offer this incredible experience to Foxtel subscribers."

Australian golf has been driving innovation in the game for a number of years with the men and women Professionals last week contesting the Oates Vic Open on the same course, at the same time for equal prize money.

An event tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, and Asian Tour, the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth was the first international tournament to utilise this format concept with tournaments like the GolfSixes and the European Challenge Tour’s Northern Ireland Open replicating its success.

Kirkman comments “the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth is the perfect tournament for us to launch PGA Open Mic.

“The format is innovative and now we have an equally innovative way to comprehensively tell the story and show the action unfolding.”

The success of PGA Open Mic will be contingent on the players embracing this modern broadcast method and already the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia players are responding positively to the idea.

Kirkman adds “we have spoken to a number of our ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia players and they are excited too.

“They are passionate sports fans, they watch what other sports are doing to bring fans closer to the action and they want to provide this same opportunity to golf fans.”

Being staged for the second time this week, the stroke play/match play hybrid tournament is supported by the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA.

Being played at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 8th to 11th February, 2018, the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth combines 54 holes of traditional stroke play across the first three days with an exciting knockout match play format for the fourth and final round.

A regular cut will fall after 36 holes before the field is then further reduced to the top-24 players following 54 holes of regulation play, with any ties for 24th place being decided by a play-off. Those remaining players will then earn their places in the six-hole shootout.

Any matches tied after the six holes will be decided by playing the new Shootout Hole - a purpose-built 90-metre hole constructed at Lake Karrinyup, with a tee placed adjacent to the 18th fairway and utilising the 18th green.

The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth is a golf tournament designed to retain the traditions of the game whilst appealing to a broader audience.

For more information go to www.ispsgolf.com. 

Image: Action from the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

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