The Australian Women’s Classic, a tournament of the Ladies European Tour that completes the two-week mini tour through oceanic lands, will be played at 36 holes instead of the initially planned 54. The decision was made this Friday after a false start on the first day at the Bonville Golf Resort, in Coffs Harbour. Hardly any play was possible due to bad weather. Only 32 players have been able to go out on the field and the most advanced match has only been able to complete four holes.
In view of this situation, and given the impossibility of finishing on Sunday, the tournament organisation has decided to shorten its duration. Finishing on Monday is unfeasible due to the costs it would entail. It should be noted that Australia is one of the most expensive trips of the season and most of the European players had return flights for the same Sunday or Monday. The change of these tickets would represent an unaffordable outlay for the sponsor or the circuit itself.
So, the Australian Women’s Classic will be played over two rounds. In principle, both the prize money and the distribution of points will remain the same, at least the LET has not reported otherwise, and of course the victory will count officially.
We have six Spanish players present in this tournament: Luna Sobrón, Teresa Díez Moliner, Carmen Alonso, Marta Martín, Teresa Toscano and María Hernández. None of them had even managed to go out this Friday. The game will resume this Saturday, weather permitting, at 7:30 in the morning local time. The golfers who were already on the field will continue where they left off today and those who still have to start their round will leave half an hour later than their initial schedule. It is expected that the tournament can be completed at 36 holes, although we will have to be very attentive to the evolution of the weather.
Nicole Broch Estrup (-2) is the first leader of the tournament with three holes played. Also under par are Mariajo Uribe, last week’s winner, Anne Van Dam, Kirsten Rudgeley and Liinnea Johansson.
