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John Huggan
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Huggan: Before too long, Augusta’s mildly amusing rules gravitate to irritating
Especially for the millions of golf fans around the world who have never been fortunate enough to attend a Masters Tournament, this column has the potential to sound a bit weird, but here goes.
10 Apr 2025
Huggan: Adding-up majors should never be the sole measure of ultimate worth
As recent events in the male professional game have done nothing but escalate an already tasteless emphasis on money, the suspicion here is that the historical significance of golf’s four major championships is only going to increase.
19 Mar 2025
Huggan: Confident tours wouldn't be bothered by LIV Golf
Timing, as someone once said in a moment of clarity, is everything. And rarely has that been more glaringly obvious than at the recent Dubai Desert Classic.
5 Mar 2025
Making the Australian Open great again: Part II
In part two of John Huggan's feature piece "Making the Australian Open great again" we delve into the divide between Golf Australia and Golf NSW, the commercial viability of the event, and why the nation's premier tournament hasn't been played at the best course in 33 years.
27 Nov 2024
Making the Australian Open great again
In part one of John Huggan's feature on the Australian Open, we analyse a tournament that had long been considered among the most prestigious non-major events in world golf, celebrated over the decades by legends the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. However, as the tournament grapples with declining interest from elite players, voices from within the elite golf community are calling for a resurgence, emphasising the need to restore the tournament to its former glory and significance on both the national and international stages.
26 Nov 2024
Huggan: No fun watching Woods’ painful slide
Dead last. Propping up the field. Not even close ... take your pick, or come up with your own description of what we saw from Tiger Woods at this year’s Masters, a tournament the 15-time major champion won five times over the course of his almost peerless career.
15 Apr 2024
Huggan: José María Olazábal – all that is best about the Masters
Understandably, he won’t feature in too many headlines at this 88th playing of the Masters Tournament.
14 Apr 2024
Huggan: LIV update… or downdate
The proud “father” that is Greg Norman came to watch his 13-strong LIV clan in action at the Masters Tournament.
13 Apr 2024
Huggan: The old boys speak
Plugging a brief gap between traditions here at the Masters, three legends of the game took their places in the interview room on Thursday morning. Having just hit their traditional tee-shots to officially open the 88th playing of golf’s so-called “rite of spring”, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson were primed to answer all the usual questions from the assembled journalists. Hey, it’s tradition...
12 Apr 2024
Huggan: State of the Augusta National nation
It really should begin with a member of the Monty Python team announcing “and now for something completely different”. But it doesn’t, of course. Instead, “Chairman Fred Ridley” does the opening honours at his own annual eve-of-Masters press conference.
11 Apr 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #116 – Ian Baker-Finch
Australian sporting legend Ian Baker-Finch has lived a life in golf few others will ever get to experience. Not just known for his 1991 Open triumph, post-playing he became a popular commentator and a leading analyst for the world’s biggest sports broadcasters.
10 Apr 2024
Huggan: Old boys a joyous reminder of how things used to be
Amidst some of the questionable things that go on here at Augusta National during Masters week (the two-hour wait to get into the merchandise facility is but one example), the presence of so many past champions is a pleasant distraction. The old boys are joyous reminders of how things used to be, all in happy contrast to the toxic atmosphere surrounding professional golf right now.
10 Apr 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #115 – Ben Crenshaw
Two time Masters winner Ben Crenshaw is as much a part of Augusta folklore as any past champion and has forged his path as one of the game’s leading course designers.
9 Apr 2024
Huggan: Same old story for Augusta's Aussies
“There is no present or future – only the past, happening over and over again – now.” – Eugene O’Neill
9 Apr 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #114 – Nick Dougherty
Three-time DP World Tour winner turned Sky Sports commentator Nick Dougherty is a firm believer in golf as metaphor for life and the 41-year-old has had his share of ups and downs in both.
27 Mar 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #113 – Wayne 'Radar' Riley
From the humble courses of southern Sydney to the top levels of the game, Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley has been in and around the game of golf for more than 50 years.
13 Mar 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #111 – Ronan Rafferty
From child prodigy to multiple European Tour winner, Ronan Rafferty has seen just about everything in golf.
14 Feb 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #110 – Vinny Giles
Not every great amateur turns professional but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a living out of the game.
31 Jan 2024
The Thing About Golf Podcast #107 – Matt Fitzpatrick
In many ways Matt Fitzpatrick is an unlikely major champion. His game isn’t as flashy as some but he works hard — and smart — to get everything out of his talent.
22 Nov 2023
Marcus Fraser: On the road again
It would be an exaggeration to claim an air of contentment was emanating from Marcus Fraser. But there was definitely a whiff of encouragement in the air.
15 Nov 2023
Exclusive interview: Asian Tour chief, Cho Minn Thant
Raised and educated in Australia – where his family moved when he was aged four – Cho Minn Thant has worked with the Asian Tour since 2007. Appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2016, he became CEO three years later.
1 Nov 2023
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