Australia's James Nitties gestures to the crowd after making a birdie putt at the eighth hole to take the overall lead during round 2 of the Australian Open Golf Championship at the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Sydney on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. (AAP Image/David Moir) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Can Nitties hold off great Scott?

JAMES Nitties starts the third round at Royal Sydney with the sole lead, but Adam Scott looks well placed on the rails. FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION HERE ...

Nitties pinches spotlight from surging Scott

Nitties pinches spotlight from surging Scott
ADAM Scott got his Australian Open push back on track with a sizzling 65 but was matched by James Nitties who surged to a surprise one-shot halfway lead.

Baddeley magic ignites ‘hot group’

Baddeley magic ignites ‘hot group’
THREE of the Australian Open’s main drawcards surged up the leaderboard on day two, giving promoters a tremendous boost for the weekend.

Nitties takes lead as Scott and Spieth lurk

Nitties takes lead as Scott and Spieth lurk
JAMES Nitties is the overnight leader after day two of the Australian Open, but 15 men lie within four shots, including some dangerous big guns. AS IT HAPPENED.

Senior retires an Aussie golf legend

Senior retires an Aussie golf legend
PETER Senior walked off the seventh fairway at Royal Sydney today and in to retirement with a record up his sleeve unlikely to be beaten.

Tiger fine-tuning ahead of comeback

Tiger fine-tuning ahead of comeback
TIGER Woods is putting the final pieces together ahead of his long-awaited competitive comeback next month.

Young guns fly gen-next flag

Young guns fly gen-next flag
ONE got the very last invitation to play after pleading on Twitter and the other will have to hand back $225,000 if he wins.

Luck gives Spieth a lesson in composure

Luck gives Spieth a lesson in composure
JORDAN Spieth, who was a touch rusty on day one of the Australian Open after six weeks off, has credited Australia’s Curtis Luck for showing him a lesson in composure.

Amateurs and old pros tear up Royal Sydney

Amateurs and old pros tear up Royal Sydney
VETERAN Peter O’Malley is tearing up the course at Royal Sydney after amateur Curtis Luck shocked the galleries this morning. LIVE COVERAGE

Baddeley’s astonishing ‘world No.1’ claim

Baddeley’s astonishing ‘world No.1’ claim
AARON Baddeley admits his career hasn’t panned out quite like he planned. But after underwhelming for more than a decade he feels ready to make good on his teenage promise.

‘Been there’ Badds wary of ‘fearless’ amateurs

‘Been there’ Badds wary of ‘fearless’ amateurs
AARON Baddeley has done it himself and he believes the nation’s latest brigade of young gun amateurs can succeed at the Australian Open.

Lyle swaps tour for belts, undies and pro-ams

Lyle swaps tour for belts, undies and pro-ams
CANCER survivor Jarrod Lyle has turned his back on the US PGA Tour to focus on a family run fashion business, play local events and just “be at home”.

The walk that saved Aussie golfer’s leg

The walk that saved Aussie golfer’s leg
JUST six months after suffering a mystery medical emergency that almost saw his leg amputated, journeyman golfer Steve Jeffress will tee up in the Australian Open.

Scott’s 2013 Open nightmare ‘still burns’

Scott’s 2013 Open nightmare ‘still burns’
FRESH from his history-making Masters win, Adam Scott looked unstoppable on his way to completing the local triple crown until disaster struck on the 18th at Royal Sydney.

Scott eyes Aussie hope in dark days

Scott eyes Aussie hope in dark days
HE got both barrels from Brian Lara on Australian cricket’s woes and knows the Socceroos are struggling, but golf champ Adam Scott says we’ll be winners on the fairway.

Ultimate Guide to the Australian Open

Ultimate Guide to the Australian Open
AFTER two years at The Australian, Royal Sydney once again plays host to the Australian Open of golf. Here’s everything you need to know before the tournament begins.

Spieth not changing trademark swing for distance

Spieth not changing trademark swing for distance
HIS focus firmly on winning a second Australian Open crown, Jordan Spieth has little interest in adding length off the tee.

Pampling’s Aus Open Bundy legend

Pampling’s Aus Open Bundy legend
HE smashed some rums then hit a course record with a hangover at last year’s Australian Open. But don’t expect Rod Pampling to do that again this year - even if he does have a bottle of rum named after him now.

Spieth hopes for more Aus Open mojo

Spieth hopes for more Aus Open mojo
JORDAN Spieth is hoping use victory in the Australian Open as a catapult back to the extraordinary heights of his 2015 season.

Ogilvy, Scott primed for Aussie Major

Ogilvy, Scott primed for Aussie Major
GEOFF Ogilvy is hoping to upstage American drawcard Jordan Spieth while Adam Scott has booked his “Major caddy” Steve Williams for the week.

O’Hern’s unique approach to Aus Open

O’Hern’s unique approach to Aus Open
AUSTRALIAN golf’s most famous leftie Nick O’Hern is now putting right handed, with a short club. And he wishes he’d done it years ago as he prepares for the Australian Open.

The major change that golf fans will love

The major change that golf fans will love
WITH one tiny tweak, the Zurich Classic just became the non-major golf tournament that every fan of the game will watch in 2017.

Spieth primed for Aus Open tilt

Spieth primed for Aus Open tilt
WORLD No.5 Jordan Spieth is primed and ready for the Australian Open at Royal Sydney after taking an extended break to refresh after the Ryder Cup.

England reveal new World Cup team

England reveal new World Cup team
WITH Danny Willett withdrawing from the event, England have named a new pairing for the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.

Cheeky Tweets ensure Herbert’s invitation

Cheeky Tweets ensure Herbert’s invitation
THE last time Lucas Herbert played in the Australian Open it required an 11-hour overnight drive. This year it just took a handful of cheeky tweets from the young Victorian.

Aussie golfer wins $130k in second pro start

Aussie golfer wins $130k in second pro start
YOUNGSTER Cameron Davis will head into this week’s Australian Open full of confidence and $130,000 richer after his US PGA Tour debut.

Day’s top ranking under threat

Day’s top ranking under threat
JASON Day’s reign as world No.1 could end this week if Rory McIlroy wins the season-ending European Tour event in Dubai.

Fashion plate Poulter joins top PGA field

Fashion plate Poulter joins top PGA field
FLASHY Englishman Ian Poulter has been enticed to the Australian PGA for the first time, guaranteeing the best field for the tournament since it landed on the Gold Coast in 2013.

Blyth rallies to clinch biggest win of career

Blyth rallies to clinch biggest win of career
A GUTSY back nine rally from Adam Blyth saw the Queenslander avert a disastrous collapse and claim the NSW Open at Stonecutters Ridge.

Baddeley finds his groove after worrying slump

Baddeley finds his groove after worrying slump
AARON Baddeley had gone four seasons without a win. He’d even slumped to 427th in the world. But then a change came over his game in 2016.