Morri: Aussie Open’s status according to Rory

Jack Nicklaus has always been credited with nominating the Stonehaven Cup as a pseudo Grand Slam event in the 1960s and, perhaps understandably, Australian fans have taken that to heart.

But while Nicklaus, Gary Player and, to a lesser extent Arnold Palmer, brought the tournament great prestige 50 plus years ago, the truth of their trips to the antipodes was as much about loot as legacy.

All three were handsomely compensated for their regular appearances via a cut of club sales bearing their names, and while it would be unfair to suggest it was the only reason they came, it undoubtedly played a significant role.

That, however, doesn’t come close to meeting the informal criteria one might use to anoint a tournament ‘Major’. And there are dangers in continuing to do so.

The PGA Tour’s flagship event, THE PLAYERS, makes itself a bit of a…