The Johnnie Walker Australian Classic was a golf tournament held in Australia from 1988 to 1992.[1] It was first played as the Bicentennial Classic to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary. From 1989 it was sponsored by United Distillers, using their Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky brand, and officially titled as the Johnnie Walker Australian Classic, and then the Johnnie Walker Classic from 1991.[2]
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Established | 1988 |
| Course(s) | Royal Melbourne Golf Club |
| Par | 72 |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour of Australasia |
| Format | Stroke play |
| Prize fund | A$700,000 |
| Month played | December |
| Final year | 1992 |
| Tournament record score | |
| Aggregate | 271 Rodger Davis (1988) 271 Fred Couples (1988) |
| To par | −17 as above |
| Final champion | |
 Robert Allenby | |
| Location map | |
It was held at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, except in 1991 when it was played at The Lakes Golf Club. Prize money was A$1,500,000 in 1988, A$1,000,000 from 1989 to 1991, and A$700,000 in 1992. The tournament was played for the final time in 1992 as a result of United Distillers ending their sponsorship in April 1993.[3]
After the tournament was cancelled in 1993, the Johnnie Walker Asian Classic dropped the word "Asian" and took on the Johnnie Walker Classic title.
Winners
| Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Winner's share (A$) | Venue | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnnie Walker Australian Classic | |||||||||
| 1992 | Robert Allenby | 275 | −13 | 5 strokes | Peter Senior | 126,000 | Royal Melbourne | [4] | |
| 1991 | Peter Senior (2) | 282 | −10 | 1 stroke | Rodger Davis Frank Nobilo | 180,000 | The Lakes | [5] | |
| 1990 | Greg Turner | 276 | −8 | 4 strokes | Rodger Davis | 180,000 | Royal Melbourne | [6] | |
| 1989 | Peter Senior | 276 | −12 | 5 strokes | Greg Norman | 180,000 | Royal Melbourne | [7] | |
| Bicentennial Classic | |||||||||
| 1988 | Rodger Davis | 271 | −17 | Playoff[a] |  Fred Couples | 500,000 | Royal Melbourne | [8][9] | |