The European Tour moves from Malaysia to Australia for this week’s ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, a unique tournament which mixes stroke and match play.

In its sixth year as a European Tour event, the World Super 6 Perth has been contested at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth, Australia since its inception.

The 156-player field will be headlined by Lee Westwood, Andrew Johnston, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, and Danny Willett, alongside Aussies Wade Ormsby, Ryan Fox, and defending champion Brett Rumford.

THE SKINNY

Tournament: ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth
Dates: Feb. 8-11
TV Network: GOLF
Where: Perth, Australia
Course: Lake Karrinyup Country Club
Architect: Alex Russell (1928)
Distance: 7142 yards, Par 72
Field: 156 players
Stroke-Play Format: 36 hole-cut (top 60); 54-hole cut (top 24)
Match-Play Format: Final 24 play 6-holes matches
Purse: $1,383,288 (usd)
Winning Share: $172,760 (usd)
Race To Dubai Points: 218,560
Defending Champion: Brett Rumford
Marquee Players: Lee Westwood, Andrew Johnston, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thorbjorn Olesen, and Danny Willett

TV & ONLINE COVERAGE

All times EST.
Wed. Rd 1: 11:00 PM – 4:00 AM GOLF
Thu. Rd 2: 11:00 PM – 4:00 AM GOLF
Fri. Rd 3: 11:00 PM – 4:00 AM GOLF
Sat. Rd 4: 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM GOLF
Online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

HISTORY

The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth is in its second year as a stroke/match play hybrid tournament.

Originally titled ISPS Handa Perth International, the tournament first debuted in 2012 as a pure stroke-play event. American Bo Van Pelt captured the inaugural title by two strokes over compatriot Jason Dufner.

In 2017 the tournament was relaunched in its current hybrid format, where stroke play is used over the first 54 holes, with match play (contested in six-hole matches) utilized on the final day.

When it debuted, the World Super 6 Perth became the first international tournament to utilize the unique concept. Since then, tournaments like the GolfSixes have replicated its success.

Australia’s Brett Rumford won the first title in its current concept, defeating Thai Phachara Khongwatmai 2 and 1.

The tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and PGA Tour of Australia. It has a purse of $1,750,000 (AUS).

TOURNAMENT SPONSORS/NAMES

2017-18 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth
2012-16 ISPS Handa Perth International

RECENT CHAMPIONS

2017: Brett Rumford
2016: Louis Oosthuizen
2015: No Tournament
2014: Thorbjørn Olesen
2013: Jin Jeong
2012: Bo Van Pelt

HOW IT WORKS

STROKE PLAY

After 36 Holes: Cut to Top 60
After 54 Holes: Cut to Top 24

MATCH PLAY

Top-8 players get first-round bye. All matches are six holes in length.

Round 1: Bottom 16
Round 2: Final 16
Round 3: Final 8
Round 4: Final 4
Round 5: Final 2

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Brett Rumford claimed his sixth European Tour title in epic fashion as he beat then 17-year old Phachara Khongwatmai in the final of the inaugural ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

The European Tour was breaking new ground in Western Australia last February, with an event consisting of 54 holes of stroke play before a 24-man six-hole match play competition on Sunday.

Rumford was utterly dominant in both, leading after all three days of stroke play – by five shots at 17 under on Saturday night – and then sealing four wins in match play to complete a wonderful turnaround after losing his playing privileges last season.

His 2 and 1 victory over Thai teenager Khongwatmai in the final delighted the home fans, who saw a Perth native lift the trophy at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

“It’s amazing, particularly being a new format, the first winner of that,” said Rumford.

“Golf is bigger than one person. If it’s going to grow the game and it’s more than just a golf tournament and it becomes an event in which we’re trying to grow this sport with a bit more thrill and excitement about it, then I think as a Tour we’ve done a great job.

“It’s great to be back. I’ve done a lot of reflection these past few months after missing my Tour card last year. I had a tough year and didn’t see my family that much, only four weeks in six months. It was a gruelling six months but I’m back and I couldn’t be happier.”

THE FIELD

The field this week in Australia is headlined by former World No. 1 Lee Westwood.

The 44-year old Englishman, now ranked No. 73, is one of eight players in the field ranked inside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Other top 100-ranked players include Satoshi Kodaira (No. 37), Yusaku Miyazato (No. 51), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (No. 53), Hideto Tanihara (No. 71), Seungsu Han (No. 87), Thorbjorn Olesen (No. 88), and Ryan Fox (No. 95).

Former Masters champion Danny Willett, Andrew “Beef” Johnston, and Chase Koepka are some of the other familiar names.

Credits: European Tour Media, Getty Images