'Your eyes burn': Australian Open golfers feel bushfire smoke

Toxic smoke from bushfires choking Sydney blighted Australian Open golf tournament Thursday with one player complaining his eyes were burning and he h trouble seeing where his ball landed. event, a warm-up for many on International team at next week's Presidents Cup, got underway with haze enveloping course from fires burning out of control throughout New South Wales state. Japanese amateur Takumi Kanaya was early clubhouse leer after hitting a six-under-par 65, with Matt Jones, 2015 champion, two strokes behind.

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'Your eyes burn'

Jones said conditions, at Australian Golf Club, were some of worst he h encountered. "I'm t sure what forecast is, but smoke's t good at all. It's tough to see your golf ball when you're out re playing, where it finishes. Your eyes do burn," he said.

"I've got that cough like you've got something in your lungs, phlegm in your lungs or whatever, but it's t fun. I hope my kids are inside in hotel room." 

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On Thursday, Sydney's air quality index registered levels of pollutants on a par with Beijing. Asked if he h ever played in similar conditions, Jones said t even in China. Australian Cameron Smith, who will be playing in Ernie Els' Presidents Cup team at Royal Melbourne against Tiger Woods-led Americans next week, was more diplomatic.

"It's a bit odd, isn't it, but what can you do?," he said after shooting a 68.

"I haven't really felt any different, it's just kind of look. But we'll see after four days, it might take a bit out of everyone, I'm sure." 

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Golf Australia boss said Stephen Pitt said ahe of tournament re would be ample medical staff on site. Playing alongside Smith, fellow Australian and Presidents Cup player Marc Leishman carded a 69 while Mexican defending champion Abraham Ancer, also on Els' team, could only man 72. Former Masters champions am Scott and Sergio Garcia and English drawcard Paul Casey, world number 14 and highest-ranked player in field, were all playing later on Thursday. 

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