LPGA to kick off season at Royal Melbourne
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has decided to kick off its 2012 season on one of the prestigious course in the world — Royal Melbourne.
Royal Melbourne will become even more special when it stages the Women’s Australian Open this week.
Prominent players who have committed to feature in the Open include Yani Tseng, who will put the course in the limelight once again.
Royal Melbourne has a lot to boast, from its lush greens to a number of challenging holes. In addition, the course had the honour of hosting the Presidents Cup last year.
The Presidents Cup helped the officials boost the image of Royal Melbourne among other courses.
With 6505 yards, the course has everything needed to stage a competitive event and most of the observers have pointed out that this year will see more fan following.
Women Australian Open will stage 73-par match, which is being considered a challenge for most of the players gearing up to participate in the event.
The prize money of the match is big enough to lure players. With $1.1 million purse, there is a good chance that the players will push themselves to reach the top spot and clinch a victory. Moreover, this year’s purse has seen an increase of $400,000.
The field set for the tournament comprises several key players. For instance, Yani Tseng is going to be around.
Tseng has been phenomenal and will try to maintain her upper hand over her rivals at Royal Melbourne.
Tseng is just 23 years old but has racked up 5 major titles, a fact that highlights the Taiwanese star’s growing influence in women’s golf.
Observers are saying that the participation of Tseng will attract other leading players, who may commit themselves to the Women’s Aussie Open.
Tseng has much to boast about but she lacks popularity and this is what is taking a toll on women’s golf.
However, Royal Melbourne is going to be in the limelight. Director of the Women’s Australian Open, Trevor Herden said that this year’s event is going to steal the show.
Comparing Royal Melbourne to Augusta, Herden said the greens of the Aussie course will be much better this season.
"If you were concentrating on that, which is something I don't focus on, others that do would ask the club to grow rough in, grow their fairways in, something like that,'' he said.
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