Click here for the complete field at the 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open.
Players to Watch
Minjee Lee – The Rolex Rankings No. 7 player makes her season debut this week in her home country of Australia. Lee, who is a two-time winner of the Vic Open, won her first title as an amateur in 2014 and followed with her second victory in 2018. Last year, Lee won by five strokes and used the victory as a springboard to the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open where she finished T5. Lee is coming off her career best season on the LPGA Tour with 12 top 10s in addition to recording her fourth career win on Tour.
Georgia Hall – The reigning AIG Women’s British Open champion got off to a solid start at the season opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, where she finished ninth. The Englishwoman will look to build on that momentum this week in Australia where she won in 2016 and finished T3 in 2018. Hall is excited about returning to 13th Beach Golf Links, posting this week on Instagram: “One of my favourite weeks of the year @vicopengolf feels so good to be back in Australia!”
Charley Hull – The Englishwoman is one of the few players in the field to be able to say she already has a win in 2019. In January, Hull won the Fatima Bint Mubarak Open on the Ladies European Tour. It was her first worldwide win since the 2016 CME Group Tour Championship. Hull makes her 2019 LPGA Tour debut this week in Australia.
Quotable
"I’m sad to announce that I unfortunately must withdraw from the ISPS Handa Vic Open due to illness. While I am disappointed that I am unable to compete this week, I wish all the best to the tournament staff, sponsors, and competitors. Thank you for your ongoing support." - Brooke Henderson, who posted the statement on Twitter on Saturday
Numbers to Know
312 – Total number of players in the field made up of 156 men and 156 women, represented by the LPGA Tour, ALPG, European Tour and ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
65 – Number of players the field will be cut to following 36-holes of play
35 – Number of players the field will be cut to following 54-holes of play
18 – Number of rookies in the field
$1.1 million – The equal purse which both the men and women will compete for at the ISPS Handa Vic Open for a total of $2.2 million
About This Week’s Event
Twice the Fun – The ISPS Handa Vic Open will be staged over the course of four days on two courses, the Beach Course and the Creek Course. The men and women will play the first two rounds on each of the two courses, going off in alternating threesomes, with the third and final rounds being played on the Beach Course only. The Beach Course will play to a par 72 at 6,479 yards. The Creek Course will play to a par 73 at 6,573 yards.
New to the LPGA - The ISPS Handa Vic Open is new to the LPGA Tour schedule but not to the world of golf. The event has been staged off and on since 1988, but in its current format since 2013. Click here for more about the history of the event.
Where to Watch – The ISPS Handa Vic Open will air the opening rounds Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. ET. The third round will air Friday evening from 9:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. ET. The final round will air Saturday evening 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. ET.
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