LPGA, LET and ALPG ‘Down Under’ Golf Extravaganza
Apr 9, 2013; Augusta, GA, USA; Professional golfer Cheyenne Woods poses for a photo during a practice round for the 2013 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
The LPGA and LET are international in both scope and in players, and when the two big tours join up with the ALPG for a month-long golf extravaganza Down Under I know I’m going to get treated to some excitement! With the Oates Victorian Open, the RACV Ladies Australian Masters, the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open coming in quick succession, February’s going to be a big month for women’s golf in Australia and New Zealand.
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Two LPGA rookies — Cheyenne Woods and Minjee Lee — Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, and 3rd year Tour player Mi Hyang Lee are respective defending champions at these events. Lee won the ALPG 2014 Oates Victorian Open 6 months before she turned pro and Woods won her first professional title at the 2014 RACV Ladies Australian Masters. Webb notched her 54th pro win at the 2014 Women’s Aussie Open, and Mi Hyang Lee edged out local favorite Lydia Ko by a single shot to take the 2014 New Zealand Women’s Open championship.
Although Minjee Lee will be playing in the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, which is running concurrent with the Oates Vic, there’s another LPGA Aussie who will be returning competition at the Oates Vic. Rachel Hetherington, an 8-time LPGA Tour winner, has made the decision to come out of retirement and play a limited schedule, and I’ll be keeping an eye on the Oates Vic and her performance.
Cheyenne Woods will defend her Aussie Masters title February 12-15 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Australia’s Gold Coast. Woods will face a field of challengers that includes a full field of Australians, another LPGA rookie, Charley Hull, Stephanie Meadow, and the inimitable Dame Laura Davies. Meadow, who got on my radar at the 2014 US Women’s Open, is a player I’m watching closely this year. I look for her to play her way onto the LPGA Tour at some point during the season, and it could start at the Aussie Masters!
The following week Hall of Famer Karrie Webb will defend her title at the LET-LPGA-ALPG co-sanctioned Handa Women’s Australian Open, February 19-22 at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club against a full field of golf stars. I’m looking for a splendid week of world class golf at this event!
There is nothing like playing in front of my home fans and this makes this tournament one of my favourite events of the year . . . -Lydia Ko
New Zealanders are euphoric over Lydia Ko’s confirmation that she’ll play in the 2015 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open. Ko’s traveled quite a distance, from teen phenom to
, and her continued support of the event helps ensure its ability to attract major golfers. Co-sanctioned by the LET and ALPG, the New Zealand Open will again be played at
in Christchurch, February 27-March 1.
Although only the Handa Women’s Australian Open will be covered by Golf Channel, ProGolfNow writers Annette Walker (@TinkWalker) and Athena Solomon (@Hungry4Golf) will be following the action up close. Be sure you’re following them on Twitter if you want to receive updates during the events.