Former Open champ risks backlash with 'controversial' Australian Open take
Former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch is not sold on the idea of having the Australian Open as a mixed event.
Former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch has urged the powers that be to consider changing the Australian Open format.
The national open takes place this week at Kingston Heath in Melbourne.
It used to be viewed as the unofficial fifth major, with the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player always teeing it up Down Under in their pomp.
Since 2022, the format has seen both the men and the women compete together across two courses for the same prize purse.
Baker-Finch, now 64, is still not sold on the idea at all.
The 1991 Open winner reckons both events are 'diminished' by holding them together.
He told the Talk Birdie To Me podcast: "I'll be a little controversial here with you. I think it's great that they're doing it, I think the government's right behind it.
"The best thing about it is that they're coming to the Sandbelt, which has some of the best golf courses in the world, but I would rather see the men's Open and the women's Open."
Think you know the PGA Tour?
See how you get on with our latest quiz:
Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
