After being postponed twice because of Covid, you would think the dominant story at the Australian PGA might be the first-round lead, held by world number 1387 Louis Dobbelaar.

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However, in a bizarre incident Damien Jordan grabbed the headlines with a withdrawal, according to Australian Associated Press, due to ”slicing his hand trying to move a stake on the course.”

Full details are not clear as yet but Golf Australia’s editor, Jimmy Emanuel, first reported on the accident on Twitter, posting that Jordan “went to move a stake on course and sliced his hand the entire width from top to bottom. Quite heavy bleeding so off to see a doctor.”

A bizarre retirement today at the #AusPGA for Damien Jordan, went to move a stake on course and sliced his hand the entire width from top to bottom. Quite heavy bleeding so off to see a doctor.

— Jimmy Emanuel (@JimmyEmanuel4) January 13, 2022

At the event itself, Dobbelaar leads at 7-under and by one from Aaron Pike and Jediah Morgan with short-priced pre-event favourite, Min Woo Lee, just four behind.

Over at the accompanying WPGA event, Su Oh has a clear lead after the first round, being three shots clear at 5-under the card.

They all may ask their caddies to move boundary markers for the rest of the event.

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• ‘She just has that fire’ – Tiger compares Nelly Korda to Serena Williams in glowing appraisal

While discussing Hideki Matsuyama’s putting struggles over the weekend, Brandel Chamblee made some interesting comments regarding the importance of putting on the PGA Tour.

• Related: ‘I’ve never seen anybody do what he just did’ – Brandel Chamblee left in awe at Tiger trick

Often times we hear commentators claim that, “whoever makes the most putts will win”; or “putting is the most important aspect of golf”. Chamblee claims that it isn’t who putts the best, it’s who putts the best amongst the premier ball strikers.

“You can’t play this game at the highest level unless you are an extraordinary ball striker.

“It’s not about who makes the most putts, it’s about who putts the best amongst the best ball strikers.

“And when he (Hideki) has a decent week at putting he has a chance to win.”

Check out Chamblee’s commentary in full below.

Listen to @chambleebrandel talk about putting VS ball striking. pic.twitter.com/2tD3ecrB7I

— Fit For Golf – Mike Carroll ?????????? (@Fit_For_Golf) January 8, 2022

Do you agree with the Golf Channel analyst, WRXers? Let us know in the comments!

More from the 19th Hole

• John Daly explains Tiger Woods beef from 2019 PGA Championship
• Tiger used Earl’s ‘disruptive tactics’ on Charlie at 2021 PNC
• ‘She just has that fire’ – Tiger compares Nelly Korda to Serena Williams in glowing appraisal

In 2015, Tiger Woods made it clear just how much he loves the Old Course at St. Andrews, revealing he wants to play the course backwards in his lifetime.

• Related: Close friend of Tiger says he doesn’t think Woods will tee it up on Tour in 2022

”It’s brilliant–how you can play it so many different ways.” said Tiger “I’ve always wanted to play it one time–before I die I want to play it one time backwards.

”I want to play from 1 to 17, 2 to 16, so forth and so on. I’d love to be able to play it that way just one time. That would be just a blast because I can see how certain bunkers–why would they put that there? ”

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There has been lots of water under the Swilken Bridge since then but at a recent press conference during the Hero Championship, hosted by Tiger, the 15-time Major winner confirmed he ”would love to be able to play that Open Championship (150th anniversary), there’s no doubt. Physically, hopefully I can,” he said.

”The tournament’s not going to go anywhere, but I need to get there.”

Indeed, Sky Sports golf coach and analyst Simon Holmes, who has worked with the likes of Sir Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros,  believes that Woods could even confirm his retirement at the ‘Home of Golf’ in 2022.

Responding to fellow presenter Rob Lee’s thinking that Woods could win a tournament in 2022 – which would make him the winningest golfer in PGA Tour history at 83 wins – Holmes believes Woods may bow out in similar fashion to legends before him, including Jack Nicklaus, the very man that stands in his way for the most Majors won, at 18.

During the final round of the Tournament of Champions on Sky, Holmes replied, “I really hope it doesn’t happen, but it’s something I think that could happen.”

“Jack and Arnie did the same thing on the Swilken Bridge when they played in their last major,” Holmes continued, ”and I could just see Tiger thinking it would be a nice way to go out.”

July 17th sees the Claret Jug being awarded for the 150th running of The Open. It may be memorable for much more besides.

More from the 19th Hole

• John Daly explains Tiger Woods beef from 2019 PGA Championship
• Tiger used Earl’s ‘disruptive tactics’ on Charlie at 2021 PNC
• ‘She just has that fire’ – Tiger compares Nelly Korda to Serena Williams in glowing appraisal