There will be a stronger field of Aussies at this week's Shell Houston Open than for most Australian Open Championships. Whether or not the attraction is a barbecue at Houston resident Steve Elkington's pad (Bubba Watson not invited), 19 are currently scheduled to play, only Richard Green absent from those ranked in the World's Top 100.

A bumper crop of Aussies is appropriate as so many have won here, the Bruces Devlin and Crampton, David Graham and recent winners Allenby, Appleby and defending champ Adam Scott. In fact, only Hal Sutton, remember him?, and Fred Couples (a thrilling and emotional 2003 win) have interrupted a nine year Antipodean streak, Vijay Singh also being a multiple winner here.

As suggested before, Aussies hadn't won on Tour for fifty weeks before Geoff Ogilvy's WGC breakthrough, and it would be no surprise to see a dominant spell from Down Under, Peter Lonard coming oh so close in New Orleans. Scott and Appleby may be favourites this week, but less heralded compatriots such as O'Hern, Allenby and Goggin have also been playing well, while Baddeley must surely win again soon.

In the context of unseemly utterances from an ungrateful Scotsman regarding tournament invitations, it is worth remembering that Houston in 2006 offered a sponsor's spot to a certain Steve Stricker. Stricker had lost his Tour card in 2005, missed out at Q-School, and could only expect to enter events based on his "veteran status", perhaps fifteen tournaments a year.

But Stricker reaped the dividend of being a player popular with sponsors and respected by his golfing peers. He had spent his winter on the Wisconsin tundra, pounding balls into a frozen field from a trailor rigged up specially for the purpose, and felt his effortless swing was returning. Three early season outings had reinforced his good vibes but entries were few and far between until the good people at Houston offered him a sponsor's invitation. A grateful Steve finished 3rd and he never looked back.

Since then Stricker has earned nearly $8M in 45 events, including one win and top 25's in five out of six Majors played. Not to mention playing in the Presidents Cup and being awarded "Comeback Player of the Year". Twice. We'll see him at the Ryder Cup!


And mention that nice guys do sometimes come first brings one to a pair of 50th birthdays for two boyhood chums from tiny Horseheads, New York, population 6,000. Joey Sindelar was born two weeks before Mike Hulbert, and neither have ever forgotten their roots or, seemingly, ever made an enemy. Ten tournament wins later, and more than $15M in prize money between them, and the Champions Tour beckons, Joey making his senior debut this week. You'll easily recognize them among the over-fifties; they'll be the ones smiling.


Lastly, very best wishes to the seven British Ladies playing in the season's first Major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in the Californian desert. Let's hope for some coverage and a European win!!!!