Hyatt Coolum's course record 63 is under serious threat with former resident professional Robert Allenby declaring he could shoot "anything" during this week's $1.5 million Australian PGA Championship.
Allenby, who has already won the Joe Kirkwood Cup three times, shooting 18 under at Coolum for his third victory in 2005, is playing the at the wishes of his terminally ill mother, Sylvia.
The 37 year-old, who swept the Masters, PGA and Opens in a golden streak in 2005, spoke to his mother on Tuesday about pulling out of the PGA and also next week's Australian Open.
But she gave him her blessing and told him to "go and win the tournament".
That's exactly what he plans to do.
"I think you're going to have to shoot between 16 or 20 under, depending on the weather," said Allenby who amazed onlookers on the practice range by sitting on a chair to chip in order to keep his position right.
"You'll probably have to shoot four or five under every day to win.
"It's definitely on.
"If you get the putter right, I think I could shoot anything around here.
"I've shot low scores around here before."
Allenby spoke with great emotion about his mother's battle with cancer and how it affected him during the final round of last weekend's Masters at Huntingdale.
"The thing about last week was she was there," said Allenby who broke down in tears several times during his round.
"This week is a little different, not taking anything away from this tournament because I really want to win it.
"I know I should have won last week, I just let my emotions get the better of me.
"It's hard, I've never had to deal with anything like this in my life."
The challenge for Allenby will not so much be the 6,263 metre Coolum course, but his emotions.
He seemed in control of them on Wednesday speaking openly to the media about his mother's battle with cancer.
Last week's Masters champion Rod Pampling said his first victory at home in nine years had the fires burning to go back-to-back, which would set up a shot at a rare hat-trick in next week's Australian Open.
"Obviously the excitement is there," said Pampling.
"I'd love to put the PGA on the mantle, especially being in my home state, it's certainly a trophy I'd love to have."
American John Daly, who'll play his first round on Thursday morning alongside 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy and promising young professional Michael Sim who finished third here last year, will be a big drawcard following the withdrawal of local favourite Adam Scott with a knee injury.
While critics have questioned Daly receiving appearance money after he disgraced himself in 2002 by tossing his putter into a lake, there's no doubt he'll drag spectators through the gate, especially if he makes it through to the weekend action.
"He's got more ability than the whole field put together," declared 1992 PGA winner Craig Parry who has managed to sneak under the radar this week.
