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| World No.2 Suzann Pettersen from Norway won her second Major at The Evian Championship in September, 2013 |
American Major champion Paula Creamer will join Norwegian Suzann Pettersen (World Number 2) and fellow Americans Stacy Lewis (World Number 3) and Lexi Thompson (World Number 9) on Melbourne’s sandbelt to compete for the US$1.2 million ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open from 13-16 February at Victoria Golf Club.
Creamer (World Number 13) won her first major at the 2010 U.S Women’s Open, one of nine LPGA Tour victories, and will be making her ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open debut.
“I am very excited about coming out to Australia for the first time to compete in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. Australia has always been on my list of places that I wanted to visit and play golf and I’m looking forward to the championship in February,” Creamer said.
“The sandbelt courses in Melbourne are well known around the world and Victoria Golf Club will be a great experience. A win in Melbourne would, of course, be an ideal way to cap my time in Australia.”
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| World No. 13 Creamer won her first major at the 2010 U.S Women’s Open |
Pettersen won five times worldwide last year including her second Major at the Evian Championship while Lewis also won her second Major at the RICOH Women’s British Open on the Old Course at St Andrews. 18 year-old Thompson won in Malaysia and Mexico to take her career victories tally to five.
The impressive list of names adds to the already confirmed World Number 4 global phenomenon Kiwi Lydia Ko, World Number 7 Karrie Webb and defending champion Jiyai Shin in the field in Melbourne.
Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty said “We are delighted to welcome these top players to Melbourne in February. They all had fantastic seasons last year and bring terrific form to Victoria Golf Club. I congratulate Golf Australia on their work to bring these players here and it’s a wonderful opportunity for the fans to see the world’s best in action.”
Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was thrilled to have more of the world’s top players competing and expected more announcements in the near future.
“Combined, Suzann, Stacy and Lexi won 10 times in 2013 on Tour which is phenomenal. Paula is one of the most successful and recognisable players in world golf and we are excited about welcoming her to the ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open for the first time,” Pitt said.
“We’ll have more big names to come. The Open has maintained its great record of bringing the world’s best players here every summer and we’re pleased to be able to do that again for the fans as the summer of golf continues,” Pitt added.
The championship is sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour, LPGA and the ALPG Tour.
ABC TV will broadcast 15 hours of live coverage across all four days while millions will see the action overseas via the LPGA Tour’s global television platform.
Tickets are now on sale at Ticketek at www.ticketek.com or by calling 132 849.
