Organisers will target the likes of Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler if they are unable to lure world No.1 Rory McIlroy back for a third consecutive Australian Open tilt.
McIlroy was non-committal but offered hope to fans on Sunday after finishing in a tie for 15th in his title defence at The Australian, the Sydney course which is frontrunner to host the Open again next year.
“Depends, depends all on the schedule and where it’s going to be but I love playing in Australia. I always enjoy my time here,” said the Northern Irishman.
“I’ve had a wonderful time this year. I had a wonderful time last year. So hopefully it works again.”
Even if McIlroy doesn’t return, newly-crowned champion Jordan Spieth has promised he’ll defend the title after running away with the Stonehaven Cup as the youngest champion in 14 years.
And the 21-year-old US Masters runner-up could be an even bigger drawcard if he kicks on from his outstanding first two seasons on the US PGA Tour.
“I’m for sure going to be coming back to Australia,” said Spieth.
“I freakin’ had an unbelievable time in Australia – on the course, off the course.”
Such words were music to Golf Australia chief Stephen Pitt’s ears.
“We would love to have him come back,” Pitt said.
“Jordan for us is someone we wanted to play the last couple of years.”
Pitt was hopeful that, despite struggling over the weekend, McIlroy would be back.
“We have to see how it fits in with his schedule and see whether he is keen to play,” said Pitt.
“From our perspective, he is a great drawcard, he is popular and seems to connect with the Sydney audience and there seems to be a large Irish group who support him here.”
Pitt revealed a wish list also including multiple major winner Mickelson and popular young gun Fowler.
“Attracting stars is critical,” he said. “I think that has been the strength of the tournament.
“If you look at the players that have played on the last four or five years, you have had Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Spieth and a host of others.
“And that has been the traditional formula for this tournament dating back to the days of Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
“You are always looking for players that connect with spectators, TV viewers and sometimes players at the pointy end of the world rankings don’t do that particularly well.
“But players like Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson have that ability along with Rory, Jordan and they will obviously be targets moving forward.”
Pitt also confirmed The Australian GC was the front-runner to get the hosting rights for the Open in 2015 after drawing slightly larger crowd numbers than Royal Sydney last year.
Golf Australia expect to know the venue of next year’s Open by Christmas.
