Vic Open joins LPGA Tour

Minjee Lee after winning the Vic Open of 2018

Golf Australia is pleased to announce that the 2019 Vic Open will be sanctioned by the LPGA Tour.

The groundbreaking tournament is jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS Handa PGA Tour or Australasia (men) and the LPGA and ALPG (ladies).

The 2019 Vic Open takes place on February 7-10 at the 13th Beach Golf Links on the Bellarine Peninsula and, together with the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open, is part of an Australian two-week swing on the main world tour for women .

Stephen Pitt, the chief executive of Golf Australia, was delighted with the expansion of the LPGA relationship, and the subsequent Women & # 39; s Australian Open approached his eighth year as a joint event.

"The LPGA Tour was a big blessing for the national championship and we are absolutely delighted that the Vic Open will now be part of the global schedule," said Pitt.

"We have worked very hard with our sponsors and partners to meet the standards set by the LPGA Tour when we first discussed this opportunity and for a tournament that was honored for its progressive thinking, we are excited to take it to the next level. "

"We also acknowledge the tremendous support we have had from the Victorian government that steered the growth of the event.

"Also very important, we recognize the incredible work of Simon Brookhouse and the management of Golf Victoria and the staff that made this event a special championship in the world wave." GA now joins the quest to continue ensure that this event is carried out as well as possible, & Pitt, said

Brookhouse, now Golf Australia's general golf manager, said it was a "really exciting announcement for the growth of the Vic Open".

"Golf Victoria was very proud of the growth of the event and this announcement solidifies the power of the event on a global scale," he said. "

Prizes for the simultaneous tournaments will each amount to $ 1.5 million and the event will be played for the seventh time in a row at the regional Victorian venue.

Victorian sports minister John Eren said the new deal strengthened Victoria's reputation as a golf capital of Australia

"We are very proud that we have been part of the rapid development of the Vic Open in recent years and we are happy to mark the championship and our position as a global golf hub," Minister Eren said.

The main tour director of the LPGA, Ricki Lasky, was also pleased to expand the relationship.

"The LPGA is excited to partner with our friends at Golf Australia and the European Tour in this pioneering event," she said.

"The Vic Open has established itself as a leader in sports equality and as a global golf tournament we are looking forward to being part of this exciting week of competition, inspiration and camaraderie."