Shaping as the first of the events to go the full 72-hole distance, 132 players have entered, made up of LET stars, leading players from the WPGA Tour of Australasia, top amateurs and those who have played their way in via the Golf NSW Regional Qualifying Series.
Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Wollongong Golf Club came into existence in 1897 as a nine-hole course with New South Wales legend Eric Apperly and Ross Watson having added elements to the course over the years.
Belgium’s Manon De Roey will arrive full of confidence after her Australian Women’s Classic victory, with LET Order of Merit leader Cara Gainer also in good form following her win in Morocco and runner-up finish in Coffs Harbour.
On the local front, prior experience at Wollongong might assist the likes of Kelsey Bennett, Kirsten Rudgeley and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard who were part of the Australian Junior Amateur here in 2017, while Sarah Kemp continues her return from a broken leg.
The opening round will mark a special occasion for Thai Cholcheva Wongras, who finished third last week and turns 18 on Thursday.
LAST YEAR’S CHAMPION: Mariajo Uribe (COL)
PRIZEMONEY: €300,000
HOST COURSE: Wollongong Golf Club
FORMAT: 72-hole stroke play competition with a cut to the top-60 professionals and ties after 36 holes
LIVE SCORES: www.wpga.org.au; www.ladieseuropeantour.com; www.womensnswopen.com.au
TV COVERAGE: The Ford Women’s NSW Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.All times AEDT.
RD 3: Saturday 11am-4pm (Fox Sports 507/Kayo)
FINAL ROUND: Sunday 11am-4pm (Fox Sports 507/Kayo)
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