The Preview: TPS Murray River - Golf Australia Magazine - The Women's Game

Played in honor of the late PGA Tour Jarrod Lyle, TPS Murray River made its debut on the local circuit last year when Hannah Green wrote her name in the history books of tournament golf.

Green is not on the banks of the famous river this week, but Min A Yoon, who followed her performance to win a mixed event at Rosebud last week, is part of a strong field that will take home the trophy and most of the increased $250,000 prize scholarship competition. .

DEFENDING CHAMPION: It was a historic inauguration for this event in 2022.

Hannah Green, fresh from her Vic Open victory at 13th Beach, went back-to-back and in the process became the first woman to win a 72-hole mixed-gender event.

Green’s heroics went around the world and brought more attention to the nascent The Players Series concept.

Green held at least a share of the lead over all four rounds and began the final day in a four-way tie for first place.

RIGHT: Hannah Green made world news, and history, on the mighty Murray last year. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

A tight game was on the cards until a chip-in eagle on the 10th for the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion saw her pull clear. Green ended up finishing at 20-under for her piece of history and a four-shot margin over Andrew Evans and Hayden Hopewell.

Grace Kim, Momoka Kobori and Cassie Porter’s strong performance for the women’s contingent last year also finished in the top 10.

As she prepares for her 2023 LPGA campaign, Green will not defend this week.

COURSE: Cobram Barooga Golf Club features 36 holes of typical Murray River golf and is located a short drive to Lyle’s home town of Shepparton.

As was the case last year, hosting the club’s Old Course steps this week, the Sloan Morpeth design was generally regarded as the best of the layouts on the West Course.

The Old Course has undergone recent changes, including adding to the previously uphill 18th to close the round, and has risen four places in the Golf Australia magazine Top-100 Public Access Courses for 2023 rankings to number 90.

Scott Matthews of the ranking panel said: “The redesign work on the Old Course has grown in and improved a round here. The new 18th, a short par-4 that offers a semi-blind tee shot, is memorable as is the driveable old 1st hole, which sits better within the reroute than the 16th. Both holes create a great climax to the round where anything can happen depending on your level of aggression from the tee.

PRIZE MONEY: $250,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Picking a winner here will be a difficult task due to the number of top-class and in-form players looking to join, or in some cases return to, the winner’s circle.

One such player is WA PGA Champion David Micheluzzi, who was back in the hunt at Rosebud last week.

In-form Victorian David Micheluzzi wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the crowd on Sunday afternoon. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

Micheluzzi showed his quality late last year during the Australian Open and the course at Cobram should suit the Victorian.

Although Green is not in the field this week, her fiance and co-winner of the TPS event, Jarryd Felton, is and could create another piece of history if he were to take the trophy from Green’s possession this week.

Felton, a high quality ball striker, won last year’s rain shortened TPS. So Sydney clearly enjoys the format which mixes men’s, women’s, juniors and now All Abilities players.

Of those All Abilities competitors, last week’s winner Cam Pollard is worth watching if you find yourself in the is or in front of the TV over the week, as is fellow TPS Victoria champion Min A Yoon whose solid spell last week her hold is well suited for the Epson Tour season ahead.

Cassie Porter was impressive here last year and is again worth considering after her first pro win at the WPGA Melbourne Invitational in January.

The rookie pro will have many players at the same time of their careers, including Kirsten Rudgeley, Kelsey Bennett, Connor McKinney and Hayden Hopewell.

All four had impressive amateur careers, with Hopewell winning on the Aussie Tour while still in the unpaid ranks.

The West Australian shared second behind Green here last year and has a chance to go one better this week.

Still in amateur play, Justice Bosio shot a course record at Rosebud and was right in the mix, so form is on her side as she continues to ride the emotional high to earn an invite to the home of The Masters for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Among the many other potential winners in the field, some to watch are James Marchesani, Haydn Barron, Maverick Antcliff and Kiwi Nick Voke.

72-HOLE RECORD: 264 (-20, Hannah Green, 2022)

TV TIMES*
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
*AEDT, check local guides