Handa Australian Open: What you need to know

Keep a close eye on Lexi Thompson too. The 16-year old American is back for her second Australian Open after a year which saw her win over US$300,000 in only seven starts on the LPGA Tour last year. She has been touted as the next big thing in women’s golf.

Here is what you need to know about the tournament:

ABC are covering the golf all week – Check out the times for Handa Australian Open on TV.

Full Handa Australian Open field.

The tournament has been played 19 times since it started in 1974. Karrie Webb has won the tournament four times and Laura Davies has won twice. Other great players such as Annika Sorenstam, Jan Stepheson, Jane Crafter and Debbie Austin all have their names on the Patricia Bridges Bowl trophy.

World #1, Jayai Shin

The Course

The Commonwealth Golf Club is yet another stunning golf course in the sandbelt region of Melbourne. Although less well known than some of the other golf courses in the area, Commonwealth is always in Australia’s best golf courses and is still a superb test of golf. A hole-by-hole tour of Commonwealth Golf Course can be accessed through the club’s website

Who will win?
Yani Tseng won this tournament last year and will once again be hard to beat. World number one Jiyai Shin will of course also be in contention come Sunday but there are a few other names out keep an eye out for. Karrie Webb always turns it on at home, Sarah Oh has a bit of form coming into the event along with Gwladys Nocera.

Kristie Smith had an awesome final round last weke in Canberra but I’d may put a bit of money on Katherine Hull who seems to be peaking at just the right time for this tournament.