Rolex World Number 6 Suzann Pettersen, World Number 7 So-Yeon Ryu and World Number 8 Jiyai Shin, fan favourite Laura Davies and teen star Lexi Thompson are the latest big names to confirm their start at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open from 14-17 February at Royal Canberra Golf Club.
A former runner-up at the Women’s Australian Open, Korean Shin won her first major championship by nine strokes in 2012 at the RICOH Women’s British Open at Royal Liverpool.
Norwegian Pettersen won in Korea and Taiwan in 2012 while Korean Ryu, a former US Women’s Open champion, also won on the LPGA Tour in 2012.
Great Briton Laura Davies returns hunting a third Women’s Australian Open title following her wins in 2004 and 2009 and American Thompson is shooting for her second LPGA Tour title.
The quintet will join World Number 1 Yani Tseng, World Number 3 Stacy Lewis, international star Michelle Wie, Australia’s Karrie Webb, defending champion Jessica Korda and Tiger’s niece, Cheyenne Woods, in a packed field in Canberra hunting the US$1.2 million purse.
Golf Australia Director-Championships Trevor Herden said the addition of three more of the world’s top 10 players and fan favourites made it among the strongest Open fields in history.
“Having half of the Top 10 players in the world in Canberra is a fantastic opportunity for golf fans and with players like Yani, Stacy, Karrie, Michelle, Suzann and Laura in the field, we’re in for an action packed week in our capital, “ Herden said.
“I encourage everyone who is a golf and sport fan to book a ticket and come out to Royal Canberra for what will be some of the best golf action of the Australian summer.”
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