Johnnie Walker Australian Classic Explained

Johnnie Walker Australian Classic
Location:Melbourne, Australia
Establishment:1988
Course:Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Par:72
Tour:PGA Tour of Australasia
Format:Stroke play
Month Played:December
Final Year:1992
Aggregate:271 Rodger Davis (1988)
271 Fred Couples (1988)
To-Par:−17 as above
Final Champion: Robert Allenby
Map:Australia#Australia Victoria
Map Label:Royal Melbourne GC
Map Relief:yes
Map Size:200px
Coordinates:-37.97°N 145.03°W

The Johnnie Walker Australian Classic was a golf tournament held in Australia from 1988 to 1992.[1] It was first played as the Bicentennial Classic to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary. From 1989 it was sponsored by United Distillers, using their Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky brand, and officially titled as the Johnnie Walker Australian Classic, and then the Johnnie Walker Classic from 1991.[2]

It was held at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, except in 1991 when it was played at The Lakes Golf Club. Prize money was A$1,500,000 in 1988, A$1,000,000 from 1989 to 1991, and A$700,000 in 1992. The tournament was played for the final time in 1992 as a result of United Distillers ending their sponsorship in April 1993.[3]

After the tournament was cancelled in 1993, the Johnnie Walker Asian Classic dropped the word "Asian" and took on the Johnnie Walker Classic title.

Winners

Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Winner's
share (A$)
Venue Ref.
Johnnie Walker Australian Classic
275 −13 5 strokes 126,000 [4]
Peter Senior (2) 282 −10 1 stroke 180,000 [5]
276 −8 4 strokes 180,000 [6]
276 −12 5 strokes 180,000 [7]
Bicentennial Classic
271 −17 Playoff 500,000 [8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Book: 2006 Media Guide . PGA Tour of Australasia . 167.
  2. News: Whisky time for classic golf title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 July 1989 . 13 February 2020 . 19 . Trove .
  3. News: Major Australian tournament loses sponsor . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 29 April 1993 . 10 February 2020 . 24 . Trove .
  4. News: Rookie stuns stars with five-shot win . . 67 . 21,057 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 7 December 1992 . 1 May 2017 . 26 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: Davis fumbles run to allow Senior in by one stroke . . 66 . 20,694 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 December 1991 . 1 May 2017 . 22 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: Baker-Finch in the wilderness, Turner out . . 65 . 20,331 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 December 1990 . 1 May 2017 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: No more 'yips' for Midas-touch Senior '. . 64 . 19,787 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 December 1989 . 1 May 2017 . 22 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: Davis takes big money . . 63 . 19,418 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 5 December 1988 . 2 May 2017 . 28 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: 1988-12-05. Times Sport Sports results and details. Canberra Times. 2021-11-06.