Getting your player ready...
Rod Pampling went nearly 10 years between victories in his native land, winning the Australian Masters last year at Huntingdale. Just his luck, his return next week to Melbourne as the defending champion coincides with the return of another player. Tiger Woods is competing Down Under for the first time since 1998, and the first time in a regular tournament since 1996. That makes Pampling the most forgotten defending champion since Nick Price at the 2003 Colonial, which featured Annika Sorenstam. Pampling was asked if anyone even knew he was the defending champion. “My mom and dad do,” he said. “My brothers don’t.” The Associated Press/Getty photo
