THE world’s best golfers from the LPGA Tour will be playing the 2014 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at the Victoria Golf Club on Melbourne’s renowned Sandbelt from 13-16 February.
The field will include Australia’s World Number 6 Karrie Webb, who claimed her 39th LPGA Tour victory in June, and the defending champion and current world number 10 Jiyai Shin from South Korea.
Shin was a popular champion when she claimed the 2013 title from a quality field at the Royal Canberra Golf Club and the next edition of the tournament will again no doubt be a fascinating event.
Webb, a five-time Open champion, said she was looking forward to playing at a course which will host its first Women’s Australian Open in 38 years.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the Sandbelt and Victoria Golf Club in February for the 2014 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open,” Webb said.
“The championship has gone from strength to strength since it joined the LPGA Tour and the players certainly look forward to starting the year in Australia on our best courses. The ongoing support of major sponsor International Sports Promotion Society through Dr Handa has been a great boost which we sincerely appreciate.”
Stephen Pitt, CEO of event organiser Golf Australia, said they would be confirming more of the world’s top 10 players for the Melbourne tournament in coming months.
“The ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open has experienced exceptional growth in recent years, particularly in its international profile as a major women’s sporting event in the Asia-Pacific region. The championship consistently brings the highest number of top 20 ranked golfers in the world to Australia each year through our successful partnerships with the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and ALPG Tour,” Pitt said.