Tom Rickit retains the Australian Open

Very few have been more successful in the Australian Open since 2010 than Tom Rickit. The Canberra postal worker has been on the podium six times in eight years, including three victories. Yet even Tom surpassed expectations in the 2017 first round. ""The discussions before the championships seemed to be centred around two under per round," reflected Tom after he retained his title at Waverley, having carded a brilliant 45 opener.  "There were nine birdies - sounds a lot, but the course was not easy!" was Tom's assessment.

Seven strokes clear after 18 of 72 holes, Tom was in a really strong position to successfully defend. However, Jack Kalis jumped into contention with a second round 47. "After the initial 45 and then only a one shot lead going into the third round, I concentrated on Marc Fischer.  He holds the course record and it’s his home course", recalls Tom.  2014 and 2015 champion Fischer was actually six strokes behind going into Sunday's final 36 holes. Tom's tactics proved prophetic as Kalis faltered in a third round 58 on Sunday. "Jack put pressure on himself and then that made it a case of counteracting Marc’s efforts.  That is how it eventuated," sums up Tom, whose 109 total for the closing two rounds saw him finish three clear of Fischer in second place. 

Scoring wasn't as low as some previous Australian Opens but the champion praises the Waverley venue. "The conditions on Sunday were even better than Saturday and the course was superb.  Melbourne had suffered heavy rain previously and parts were waterlogged.  I tried to avoid those areas. There weren't many scores under par over the weekend.  Where the ball landed that was where it stayed generally."

Assiduous preparation has always been part of the Rickit formula and 2017 was no exception. "I arrived early in Melbourne and practiced.  Gary Player was right, 'the more I practice, the luckier I get.'”

Tom played in the 2012 World Cup final at Royal Meath and strongly considered making another trip to Europe last summer for the World Strokeplay in Norway. He doesn't anticipate travelling beyond Australia for Pitch and Putt in the foreseeable future. "At this moment in time I am concentrating on getting past Christmas and working.  I have no plans to travel next year. Maybe Marc (Fischer) will travel to Europe."