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ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth: Top six picks on the European Tour

By Mike Randleman

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Peter Uihlein of the USA plays his tee shot on the 6th hole during day four of the 2016 Perth International at Karrinyup GC on February 28, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Peter Uihlein of the USA plays his tee shot on the 6th hole during day four of the 2016 Perth International at Karrinyup GC on February 28, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) /
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Super 6 Perth
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 19: Brett Rumford of Australia poses with the trophy after winning the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth at Lake Karrinyup Country Club on February 19, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) /

One of the more underrated stories from the 2017 European Tour season was journeyman Brett Rumford winning the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth in his home city.

It was Rumford’s fifth career European Tour win and first since 2013.

Now, he’s back to defend at the place where he was scorching hot for all four days. Rumford reached 17-under-par in 54 holes to earn the No. 1 seed in match play.

Rumford birdies 31 of 76 total holes played and only needed extra holes once in the knockout round. His path to the title didn’t require getting past tournament favorite, Louis Oosthuizen. Nonetheless, he earned convincing victories against world top 100 player Hideto Tanihara, countrymen Wade Ormsby and Adam Bland and a player less than half Rumford’s age in 17-year-old Phachara Khongwatmai in the finals.

The 40-year-old likely comes back to Perth in better spirits this year as he was in the throes of fighting for his European Tour card this time in 2017.

With a little more job security, Rumford will seek to build on two made cuts to begin his 2018, a 74th at the BMW SA Open and a T37 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Rumford hasn’t collected a top-10 worldwide since his win in Perth, so we’re relying on course form. He finished seventh here in 2016, T19 in 2014, sixth in 2013 and T36 in 2012 when this was a pure stroke play event.

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