The PGA Tour of Australasia is experiencing a renaissance, with crowds — and creatures — flocking in their masses to witness a drought breaking victory in Western Australia.

Doing battle with the defending champion and a rising star, it was James Marchesani who emerged the winner of the WA Open, clinching a first career title having had nearly as many close calls as the number of AFL games his father played.

Watch the final two rounds of the Players Series: South Australia LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Kayo from 24–25 October.

Meanwhile a creative crowd, providing a throwback to a bygone era, occasionally stole the spotlight — and a couple of locals had eyes for the same ball.

Here’s what we learned at the WA Open!

‘SORT OF BLACKED OUT’: Ex-AFL player’s son finally breaks through after stunning WA Open finish

Marchesani makes his mark

The son of 52 game Carlton and Fitzroy AFL player Frank, James Marchesani has spent years as one of the most consistent players in Australia without the silverware on the mantle to prove it.

Going head to head with one-time LIV golfer and reigning WA Open champion Oliver Bekker, and former Asia Pacific Amateur Championship winner Jasper Stubbs, Marchesani mustered career-best golf to finally break his duck and claim a first home Tour victory.

Having a front-row seat to the Stubbs show, which included two eagles and a near hole-in-one as Bekker applied relentless pressure, Marchesani needed a course record-equalling round of 65, and almost ace of his own, for a one-shot win.

“I’m sure I probably have, but not under the same circumstance,” Marchesani said when asked if he had ever played better golf.

A winner on the PGA Tour China, the 35-year-old had become the local Tour’s nearly man. He had 23 career top-10s and came third on last season’s Order of Merit, which helped garner HotelPlanner Tour status for next year.

Marchesani’s belief in his ability and the process of improvement has been unshakeable, with the Victorian brilliantly executing in the closing stages of a hugely popular maiden win.

And it was one that brought a golf loving family to tears at home.

“I think it was a matter of how long can you sort of wait and when is it going to happen?” said Marchesani, who was staying at the home of major champion Hannah Green and her husband and fellow pro Jarryd Felton during the week.

“I’m playing good, but it’s not quite happening … I’ve always believed I’ve been good enough.

“Everyone’s so talented now, so you got to work harder and harder and harder. And as I get a little bit older, it is a little bit harder, but I still love it.”

Perhaps not loving watching the topsy turvy closing stages was the rest of the Marchesani clan, who now have more golf than footy in their bloodline. James once played on Tour alongside brother Anthony, while his sister Monica is part of the media unit for the PGA of Australia.

James, a standout college golfer at Oklahoma City University where he earnt the Jack Nicklaus Award, for the time being able to claim familial golf bragging rights … even if well-placed sources suggest Frank still believes he’s the best putter in the family.

They don’t call it the wild west for nothing

Just a good driver away from Indian Ocean south of Perth’s CBD, Secret Harbour Golf Links provided a stern, often windswept, test for the Aussie Tour’s best and brightest.

However, it wasn’t the pot bunkers and undulating greens that had players on edge during the week. Instead, it was the numerous large, venomous snakes spotted on course early in the week.

Taking in the sun, and a little golf, Dugites and Western Browns measuring longer than a gimmie putt were seen sliding across the fairways.

Occasionally attacked by crows and nesting magpies, the snakes clearly thought Sunday was a day of rest, which cleared the stage for a different kind of birdie.

In search of snack late on Sunday, a seagull thought WA local Curtis Luck’s golf ball appeared particularly appetising when it came to rest on the 17th green.

Attempting multiple bites, the gull’s hunger had the crowd in raptures as it appeared to be sending their home hope’s chances of a late birdie (the scoring variety) to a watery grave in front of the 17th green.

The rules of golf were on Luck’s side as he was able to place the ball on the green where it was momentarily stationary before the ravenous avian took a liking to it.

Meanwhile, Luck continues to try and recapture the form that made him the No.1 amateur in the world following a slew of injuries in recent years.

A winner of the US Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur, which earnt him a start at The Masters, Luck claimed the 2016 WA Open before joining the professional ranks and winning on the Korn Ferry Tour.

He was firmly in contention heading into the final round on Sunday, and told GolfWA how much a win, 10 years after his last, would’ve meant.

“I’ve played this event so many times and it means probably as much to me now as it did when I was 15 playing my first one,” he said.

“It’s a great spot to be in and hopefully I can take advantage of it. I’d love to get another WA Open.”

Ultimately, it wasn’t to be following a final round of 75.

Injuries to his neck, back and shoulder have cruelled Luck’s career trajectory, and have made regular tournament play anything but regular for the now 30-year-old.

But the weekend was a reminder that, when he is fit, he’s a constant contender on his home Tour, which heads to South Australia this week.

Crowd control to major Tom

“It’s a good problem to have”.

That was the general consensus for all involved at the WA Open after fans flocked in their droves to watch an event without the gallery ropes and the crowd control seen at bigger tournaments like the Australian Open.

Free to roam the fairways and rub shoulders with Marchesani, Stubbs and Bekker, the Sunday crowd surrounded the final trio, who didn’t disappoint with three players a combined 18-under-par in the final round.

Desperate to grab prime position, it was a dash from each green to the next tee for the golf loving locals, as players, caddies, and even on-course commentators, attempted to navigate their way through the masses so the show could go on.

Marchesani’s caddie for the weekend, Brady Watt, even lost his player at one time in the throng, who encircled every green in scenes harking back to a bygone era of tournament golf.

The crowd clambered for a look in the in the closing stages to the point of being on the 17th green when Marchesani tapped in for his birdie to take a one shot advantage alongside thousands of his new best mates, who proved a creative bunch.

From kids making their way around the course on scooters in search of golf balls rather than watching them, to a homemade grandstand on 16 and an inflatable chicken costume at the 11th, the fans, and players, generated a special scene.

One particular patron was perhaps creating a movement on Saturday when capturing the lens of the broadcast cameras.

Strapping an esky to a remote controlled electric buggy to ensure hydration wasn’t ever far from hand, the thirsty trekker inspired a copycat on Sunday armed with his makeshift drinks cart and a seemingly never ending supply of Emu Export.

A supply the Marchesani might have enjoyed in celebration, if not for a 1am flight to Hong Kong for his next event.

The Aussie Tour heads for South Australian wine country and this week’s Players Series South Australia.



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