13 July 2009
Details have been released for the practice days and Daniel has been paired with legends of the
game Tom Watson for the Monday and on Tuesday will be playing alongside John Daly and Boo Weekley.
The tee times for the first two days of the championship have also been released with Dan being paired with
fellow golfers David Higgins and Jeremy Kavanagh, starting off at 11.52 am on the Thursday and 6.41 am
on Friday.
10 July 2009
John Letters staff professional Daniel Gaunt fires magnificent rounds of 69 and 67
to book his place in the 2009 Open championship. With only 12 golfers going through
from nearly 300 qualifying hopefuls, big names such as Jose Maria Olazabal fell by
the wayside at the Kilmarnock Barassie golf course, but Gaunt’s ten under total was
good enough to see him snatch one of the qualification spots. Commiserations go to
fellow professional and older brother Chris Gaunt, who narrowly missed out on qualifying
by a single shot at the Glasgow Gailes venue.
19 July 2009 -
1st Open Championship... makes cut AND plays with the hottest new player on tour. It might not have been the best of days after a poor twelve over but Dan's had the time of his life. Who'd have thought this time a month ago he'd have achieved so much in so little time. 'I've got the bug and want to be playing in front of crowds like this more often' said Dan following an amazing and successful week at The Open.
18 July 2009 -
Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Stuart Appleby... familiar names but alongside them DANIEL GAUNT all on +3. Following the best round of the day yesterday Dan had an early night after catching up on the cricket highlights.
'My best shot yesterday was the chip in for birdie on the 9th. It may have helped that I started with a bogey on the 1st as I relaxed straight after' said Dan. He's looking forward to teeing off at 10.25am with Rory Mcilroy and is hoping the weather gets worse! 'I prefer playing in the wind, my game is very strong when the conditions get worse'
17 July 2009 -
Dan goes low….on what is turning out to be a difficult day for scoring Dan's just shot a fantastic 3 under par 67 to bring his score back to +3. Dan shot one of the lowest rounds of the day so far having teed off at 6.40am. With a prevailing wind he came home in 33 following an outward nine of 34. Keep your eyes on him as he's got a great chance to be here for the weekend.
17 July 2009 -
10.40am and Dan is the ONLY player to go out in under par on the front 9 - C'MON YOU AUSSIE... it's time for a charge!
16 July 2009 -
Dan shoots +6 in first round. I didn't have any nerves this morning but when I stood on that 1st tee and my name was called out I couldn't help but be a little nervous. I played well today but just didn't have any breaks, the greens were difficult to read and the ball just wouldn't go in the hole. You can see the breaks but reading the rolls is very difficult. Tomorrow I know the weather's forecast to be bad so I'll look to get a solid start, try and pick up a shot or two before the turn then take on the back 9. I've gained a lot of experience today so must use it well tomorrow - I've got a 6.40 am start so it's early to bed tonight.
15 July 2009 -
Dan's thoughts on the course. It's a great course, it's right up there as one of the best in the world alongside Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne. The key holes are going to be 12/13/15 & 16, par those and you've got a chance. Make a mistake and you'll drop shot very quickly coming home. I've not made any changes to my bag so looking forward to a good day tomorrow.
15 July 2009 -
Taking it easy. Practice on the range and with his coach and caddie in the afternoon followed by a little putting. Dan believes the last 6 holes are going to be key to performing well this week at Turnberry - "the last 6 holes are going to be into the wind and can make or break your score" he said in an interview Tuesday evening.
14 July 2009 -
Up early and keen to see who his partner would be for today’s round – none other than another Open Champion John Daly. Playing with the famous ‘Wild Thing’ certainly pulled in the crowds with ‘Long John’ wearing his now trademark loud outfit and provided great preparation for the tournament ahead.
13 July 2009 -
Dan’s first visit to Turnberry couldn’t have been given more of a boost when he was paired with 5 time Open Champion Tom Watson. If playing with one of the game’s greats is not enough, Watson was part of the ‘Duel In The Sun’ with Jack Nicklaus, possibly the most famous battle ever fought over the Turnberry Links!
Gaunt is yet another promising golfer to emerge from Australia and John Letters is proud to
welcome him into the ever growing group of talented individuals sponsored by the world famous
brand. A contemporary of Adam Scott, Daniel also has a golf professional brother, Chris, who
competes on the Australasian Tour. At the tender age of 10, Daniel left behind a promising
tennis career to focus on golf and has been self taught right from the very start. Already a
previous winner on the EuroPro Tour, Daniel's 2008 season really has started with a bang with
victories on both the Midas and Jamega Tours.
Exemption:
Exemption:
Residence:
Attachment:
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
Height and weight:
Family:
Interests:
Turned Pro:
Qualifying School
Favourite Food:
Favourite TV:
Favourite Golf Course:
Pets:
European Tour, Cat 0, Rank 0
Challenge Tour, Cat 0, Rank 0
New Malden, England
Oxfordshire
14/11/1978
Melbourne, Australia
180 cm 72kgs (5ft 11in 11st 5lb)
Wife: Caroline (m. 2001), Child: Thalia (2003), Ashton
Tennis, travelling, football
1999 (plus 1)
2002, 03*, (04), (05), (06)
Chinese and Indian
Everybody loves Raymond, CSI
Victoria Golf Club, Melbourne, AUS
Cat called 'Vegemite'