Brendan Jones has arrived at the Fiji International with a sunny outlook despite a lack of golf clubs.
Arriving in Fiji yesterday afternoon, Jones was pleased to be greeted by the tropical climate but soon discovered his clubs had been left behind in Australia.
“I had planned to get out and play 18 today, 18 tomorrow, only for the fact that I’ve played so little golf,” said Jones who has only played three tournaments this year due to a wrist injury.
“My luggage hasn’t turned up so I’m here in the same clothes I travelled in yesterday.”
“Once the tournament kicks off, I’ve played so many tournaments that everything sort of kicks into gear.”
Not deterred by the luggage mix-up, Jones was on course at the Fiji International today scoping out the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.
“Today’s a good thing for me, watching shots go into greens, watching what the guys are hitting off tees, so I have some sort of idea of how I want to play it,” added Jones.
“Tomorrow in the pro-am I’m going to have a much better feel and I think by Thursday I’ll be ready to go.”
Already accustomed to the windy conditions experienced on the coastal course Jones has started to formulate to plan of attack for the week.
“With the back nine, you’ve just got to position your ball really well and there’s a lot of holes that are across winds and into the winds.”
“The into the wind holes are really going to be the ones that you have to be careful of here because anything that goes a little off line here gets exaggerated so it’s all about positioning your ball.”
Taken by the beauty of the Vijay Singh designed golf course, Jones is excited for the Fiji International to tee off on Thursday.
“I’m no course designer, but visually the course looks spectacular and I believe that’s a part of the enjoyment of a good design, actually liking what you’re looking at. There’s some magnificent views around here,” said the 13 time Japan Tour winner.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed my golf so I’ve got that in my favour.
“The bad shots I hit last year before the injury were really getting to me, but the bad shots this year I’m still enjoying.”
“It’s just fun to be back on Tour and that’s one thing I have missed.”
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 14-17 August and will be Fiji’s first internationally broadcast golf tournament.
Being played for a US$1 million prize purse the Fiji International will be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.
Proudly supported by the Fijian Government, the Fiji International is expected to produce a multi-million dollar boost for the Fijian economy, in addition to flow on benefits including the growth of the game in the region.
Designed by Singh, the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course is renowned for its sparkling backdrop of coral reefs and the Pacific Ocean that line 15 out of the 18 championship holes.
Tickets for the Fiji International are now on sale through selected Total Service Stations and RC Manubhai stores.
Total Service Stations selling tickets include: The Total Tavua, Total Ba, Total Lautoka, Total Navutu, Total Namaka, Total Corner Pt, Total Town end (Nadi), Total Sigatoka. Suva areas: Total Lami, Total Hibiscus, Total Flagstaff, Total Laucala, Total Makoi and Total Nausori.
Thanks to the support of the Fijian Government, tickets are available to Fijian residents at a reduced rate when proof of residence is shown.
The cost of a ticket includes a free shuttle bus from the corner of Maro Road and Queens Road junction in Natadola, and 10 per cent discount on bus travel with Sunbeam to the junction (normal bus timetable to apply.)
Children 16 years and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
For further information visit www.fijiinternational.com.
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