Can Stacy Lewis defend her title?
This is the first year for the event.
This week is all about...Lexi Thompson
Haley Millsap answers 18 fun questions
Feb 13-17
Yarralumla, Australia
Yarralumla, Australia
Par: 73
Yardage: 6108
A fairly straightforward par 5 giving players an opportunity to get off to a quick start, the ideal line off the tee is to the centre right of the fairway to open up the green which is heavily bunkered on the front left. Players choosing to lay up will want to get the ball within 80 metres of the green to avoid a severe downhill lie. The green has a tier running back left to middle right requiring a pinpoint short iron to a back left hole location.
A short uphill dogleg left par 4. The tee shot is dominated by the large tree on the corner. The left side of the fairway is the place to be, opening up the green that runs at an angle from front left to back right and is protected by bunkering short right.
The longest par 3 on the course. The green is protected by bunkering both left and right, slopes predominantly from back to front with a subtle ridge about two thirds of the way on, an opening at the front of the green allows players to run the ball on if desired.
Shortish par 5 that wanders gently to the right. Avoid the mounds on the right from the tee and players will have the chance to attack the green with their second shot. The green slopes gently from front left to back right and is protected by bunkering both sides and a stand of trees to the right. If forced to lay up players will have to choose a longer shot from a level lie, or from an upslope if they want a shorter third.
Finding the fairway on this short dogleg right par 4 is critical. Players finding the rough will struggle to get the ball on the same shelf as the pin on this well bunkered, multi leveled green, bringing a 3 putt in to the equation.
The 6th plays as the shortest par 5 on the course. A gently sweeping right to left dogleg with a slightly off camber fairway requires the longer hitters to shape the ball right to left to hold the fairway. A downhill second shot towards Lake Burley Griffin to a flat putting surface heavily protected by a swale and bunkers both short and right. Birdie a must.
A short uphill par 4. Fairway bunkers on the right to be avoided. Ideal line is to the left side of the fairway opening up this small two tiered green protected by bunkering short and right.
A short iron on this downhill par 3 framed by Black Mountain in the background. The green has a severe tier running through it, forming a shallow back shelf and is well bunkered on all sides.
Long dogleg left par 4. Players will want to drive as close to the left hand side fairway bunkers to open up the second shot to this elevated green. Only the highest, softest shot will hold the back right section of the green which is guarded by a bunker. Par is considered a good score.
Straightaway par 4 with the fairway significantly tilted from right to left. The two fairway bunkers on the left are to be avoided. A large tree guards the green from the left side of the fairway so right side from the tee is desirable. An uphill second shot to a two tiered green with bunkers both left and right.
Short downhill par 4, the line from the tee is dictated by the pin placement as a large ridge splits the green into a distinct left and right sides. Players will want their second shots straight into the correct side of the green rather than angling across the ridge.
A strong, slightly uphill par 4 that doglegs to the left. Bunkering short and to the right of the green requires the player to hit 2 good shots to find the 2 tiered putting surface, like the 9th hole par will be a good score.
A deceptive downhill par 3. A mid to short iron to a two tiered green. The upper shelf is quite shallow making it difficult to get to a back hole location. Bunkers short right and left protect the front hole locations. The wind coming off Lake Burley Griffin and swirling through the pines makes getting the right club in your hand a task in itself.
Another long par 4, the most wind affected hole on the course. Lake Burley Griffin on the right should provide more of a distraction than a real stumbling block, players finding the fairway bunkers on the left however will really struggle to get on the green in two. The two level green, heavily bunkered short and right accentuates the test given by this very strong hole.
A short par 5 sandwiched between two long par 4’s. Players will be looking for birdies here. The hole sweeps left all the way, the longer players will be looking to draw the ball around the corner setting up a 2nd shot with a long iron or fairway wood to a green heavily protected short and left. The subtle breaks on the putting surface will confound some.
The longest par 4 on the course, played as a par 5 by the lady members. A tee shot to the top of the hill will leave a long to mid iron across a valley to an elevated green. A severe slope at the front forces the players to carry the ball all the way. Possibly the slickest putting surface at Royal Canberra.
A mid iron to this green, very deep bunkers both short left and short right to be avoided at all costs. Front hole locations will be hard to get to as the front section of the green slopes away from the players. A difficult green to read, 3 will be an honest score.
A tournament changing hole, players can make 3 or 7. An uphill par 5 to a three level green. Only the longer hitters will be going for the green in two. The front hole location is more generous with players able to utilize the large tier in the green as a back board. Players forced to lay up will have to avoid a fairway bunker on the right hand side at about 85 metres from the green and control both distance and spin to get to the back hole locations.
Winner
Jiyai Shin65 - 67 - 70 - 72 = 274 (-18)
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