Richard Green will headline this week’s Victorian Open to be staged for a first time at the stunning Thirteenth Beach Golf Links.
It will also be the first time the three-time European Tour winner and 2004 Australian Masters champion has competed in the event since 2001.
And with no regular European Tour event this week it’s a good opportunity for Green to keep his game sharp.
“It’s a great opportunity to stay at home and play in a part of the world that I really enjoy and be back for the Vic Open, it’s been a long time since I last played so I have been looking forward to it,” said Green.
Green is the highest ranked player in the field at 206th in the world and having grown up in Victoria he would dearly love to add a first Victorian Open title to his golfing CV.
“It’s been one of the tournaments that has been on my list of tournaments I would like to win – it’s in good company with The British Open,” said Green who today (Tues Feb 19th) celebrates his 41st birthday
“The Australian Masters was one that I wanted to win and I have got that – to achieve a Vic Open would mean just as much as those other goals in my life.
“Hopefully I will give myself a good chance this week, my form in Dubai was good, better than it has been so hopefully I can continue it on this week.”
Green has come close to claiming the title twice in his career, once as an amateur in 1992 where he finished third and again in 2001 as a Professional when he finished runner up behind Scott Laycock.
This week will provide the perfect opportunity for Green to claim the title given his experience on Links courses.
“It’s golf that I am used to – playing in Europe in difficult conditions, if conditions stayed like this all week then I think that it would suited me,” added Green, whilst the temperature in Barwon Heads dropped to 14 degrees with rain.
“The golf course itself, in its layout and format, is very similar to links golf in Europe, I have a good repertoire of shots to use so hopefully they will work well.”
The Victorian Open will be played at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links from the 21st – 24th February for a prize purse of $150,000 as well as Official World Golf Ranking points.
