The Australian Open's Round 4 Tee Times and Pairings: A Race to the Finish Line That's Got Everyone Talking!
Imagine the thrill of a major golf tournament where the leaderboard is tighter than a drum, and the final round could crown a champion from a field of hungry contenders. That's the electric atmosphere at the 2025 Crown Australian Open right now, as we dive into the tee times and pairings for Round 4. With Round 3 wrapping up, the stakes are sky-high, and fans are on the edge of their seats. But here's where it gets controversial: some pairings might just give an unfair advantage—do you think the organizers are stacking the deck, or is it all part of the game's charm?
Let's start by recapping the leaderboard after a gripping third round. Rasmus Neergaard Petersen has surged ahead, grabbing the solo lead with an impressive total of 14 under par. For beginners, 'under par' simply means he's scoring below the standard number of strokes needed for each hole—think of it as getting a better-than-expected grade on a test. Petersen is now two strokes ahead of the chasing pack, a commanding position that has golf enthusiasts buzzing. Tied for second are Si Woo Kim, Cam Smith, and Carlos Ortiz, each sitting at 12 under par. This close-knit competition keeps the excitement buzzing, promising a nail-biter of a final round.
The DP World Tour has officially released the tee groups and start times for Round 4 on their website, adding to the anticipation. In total, there are 26 groups, organized based on the current standings. Most groups, specifically 25 of them, include three players each, but the very first group is a duo to kick things off uniquely. John Senden and Stephen Leaney will tee off alone on Hole 1 at 7:09 a.m. local time, setting the stage for what's sure to be a dramatic day.
Now, for the nitty-gritty: what exactly are the tee times and groups for Round 4? We'll break it down hole by hole, focusing on Hole 1 where all the action begins. Keep in mind, these timings are in local time, and they spread out the players to ensure fair play and crowd flow—much like staggering school bells to avoid hallway chaos. And this is the part most people miss: the order isn't random; it's designed to match skill levels and keep the tournament flowing smoothly, but fans often debate whether top players get prime slots.
Hole 1 Tee Times and Groups:
- Group 1 (07:09, Hole 1): John Senden and Stephen Leaney
- Group 2 (07:17, Hole 1): Yannik Paul, Corey Lamb, and Tobias Jonsson
- Group 3 (07:28, Hole 1): James Marchesani, Romain Langasque, and Jediah Morgan
- Group 4 (07:39, Hole 1): Robin Williams, Benjamin Follett-Smith, and James Morrison
- Group 5 (07:50, Hole 1): Tapio Pulkkanen, David Law, and Brett Rumford
- Group 6 (08:01, Hole 1): Alex Fitzpatrick, Cam Davis, and Kaito Sato
- Group 7 (08:12, Hole 1): Quim Vidal, Cameron John, and Kerry Mountcastle
- Group 8 (08:28, Hole 1): Nathan Barbieri, Joel Girrbach, and Connor McKinney
- Group 9 (08:39, Hole 1): Geoff Ogilvy, Curtis Luck, and Clement Charmasson
- Group 10 (08:50, Hole 1): Jason Scrivener, Tyler Hodge, and Stephen Allan
- Group 11 (09:01, Hole 1): Rocco Repetto Taylor, Haydn Barron, and Nick Voke
- Group 12 (09:12, Hole 1): Austin Bautista, Jordan Gumberg, and Tom Vaillant
- Group 13 (09:23, Hole 1): Sean Crocker, Ugo Coussaud, and Sebastian Munoz
- Group 14 (09:39, Hole 1): Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Rafa Cabrera Bello, and Richard Green
- Group 15 (09:50, Hole 1): Daniel Young, Sebastian Garcia, and Cameron Adam
- Group 16 (10:01, Hole 1): Jack Senior, Aaron Cockerill, and Bernd Wiesberger
- Group 17 (10:12, Hole 1): Matt McCarty, Stefano Mazzoli, and Rory McIlroy
- Group 18 (10:23, Hole 1): Ben Henkel, Daniel Rodrigues, and Ryan Fox
- Group 19 (10:34, Hole 1): Wade Ormsby, Michael Hollick, and Davis Bryant
- Group 20 (10:55, Hole 1): Greg Chalmers, Marc Leishman, and Abraham Ancer
- Group 21 (11:06, Hole 1): Ryo Hisatsune, Elvis Smylie, and Jake McLeod
- Group 22 (11:17, Hole 1): Jack Buchanan, Caleb Surratt, and Lucas Herbert
- Group 23 (11:28, Hole 1): Ding Wenyi, Min Woo Lee, and Adam Scott
- Group 24 (11:39, Hole 1): Daniel Hillier, Jose Luis Ballester, and Carlos Ortiz
- Group 25 (11:50, Hole 1): Cam Smith, Si Woo Kim, and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
As you can see, the big names like Rory McIlroy in Group 17 and the leaders in Group 25 are sprinkled throughout, creating potential for epic matchups. For example, pairing a seasoned pro like Adam Scott with rising stars in Group 23 could lead to mentorship moments or intense rivalries—golf's equivalent of a tag-team wrestling match.
This setup has sparked debates among fans: Is it fair that some players start early, potentially facing cooler weather or thinner crowds, while others tee off later under the afternoon sun? And with pairings that mix veterans and newcomers, who do you think has the edge? Share your thoughts below—do these groups excite you, or do they raise eyebrows? Agree or disagree: Should tournaments randomize pairings more to level the playing field, or is the current system just fine? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!