Appleby’s Oz defence in doubt

Defending champion Stuart Appleby could well be forced to withdraw from this week’s Australian Masters.
Defending champion Stuart Appleby could well be forced to withdraw from this week’s Australian Masters in Melbourne.
Chronic pain in his lower back is troubling the nine-time US PGA Tour winner ahead of his Thursday tee-off at the Victoria Club where he scored a one-shot victory 12 months ago.
“I haven’t made many withdrawals prior to first rounds,” said the 40-year-old, who, if he decides to play, will have to take on and beat among others, the World No 1, Luke Donald, to retain his title
“I don’t know my body well enough to know whether I can manufacture something from an ad hoc swing or whether it’s a futile fight. I’ll make that decision closer to the time.”
Appleby also revealed that he wasn’t 100% when he won at Victoria GC last year although he didn’t have to contend with constant pain.
“I could actually still play and still turn my body around then, but this year it’s been touchy,” he said.
“I think that it’s been boiling all year. I hope I can get on top of it in the next 24 hours and get to the first tee.”
Appleby has endured a season of struggle in the US this year, missing 11 cuts, scoring just a single top 10 and twice withdrawing from tournaments after the opening round.
Back in his homeland, he missed the cut in the Australian Open the week before he watched the Internationals lose the Presidents Cup to the US and he tied for 19th in the Australian PGA.
His victory in last year’s Australian Masters was his first win on home soil for nine years.
Latest
-
News
David Law tames the Green Monster course to move into contention in Hamburg
The Scot fired an eagle and eight birdies in a seven-under-par 66, a nine-shot improvement on his opening 75.
-
News
Rory McIlroy bounces back to form in the Memorial Tournament
At four under par McIlroy was three shots off the early clubhouse lead.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Wallace one stroke behind lead after first day of PGA Memorial in Ohio
Matt Wallace and Danny Willett are sitting second and equal-third respectively after the first day of the Memorial.
-
Ryder Cup
I don’t think LIV golfers should be on European Ryder Cup team – Rory McIlroy
American players remain eligible despite being banned or resigning from the PGA Tour in the wake of joining the Saudi-funded circuit.
-
European Tour
Brendan Lawlor and Kim Moore excited for next week’s Scandinavian Mixed event
The pair won the men’s and women’s titles at the G4D Open at Woburn earlier this month.
-
PGA Tour
Emiliano Grillo claims second PGA tour title in Texas
It was Emiliano Grillo’s first PGA Tour win in over seven years.
-
News
Pablo Larrazabal to follow Miguel Angel Jimenez after KLM Open win in forties
Larrazabal celebrated the milestone by winning his ninth DP World Tour title and second in just four weeks.
-
News
Harry Hall bounces back from double blow to keep share of lead
Cornish rookie heads into final round tied at the top with American Adam Schenk.
-
PGA Tour
Harry Hall opens three-stroke halfway lead at Charles Schwab Challenge
The Cornish rookie is chasing his first PGA Tour win after opening round of 62.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Harry Hall takes three-shot lead in Texas with career-best outing
He picked up eight birdies without dropping a shot and managed to save par from 15 and 30 feet.