Just a fortnight out from the start of the 2015 Oates Vic Open, the tournament’s field has been bolstered with 2014 BetEasy Masters Champion Nick Cullen, Nikki Campbell and Peter Lonard entering.
Tournament Director David Greenhill describes this years’ playing talent at the PGA Tour of Australasia and ALPG Tour sanctioned event as some of the best he has seen, in both the men’s and women’s fields.
“The strength of the competition is growing rapidly each year. We are really excited to have such a fantastic field assembled for the 2015 Oates Vic Open”.
Nick Cullen will look to continue his recent form, after taking home the gold jacket at the BetEasy Masters. The South Australian has three professional wins to his name, between the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia Tour. The wins have come over consecutive years and a victory at the Oates Vic Open will ensure that streak continues.
Greenhill believes that Cullen’s recent breakthrough victory at Metropolitan in November will see him eager to claim his first Oates Vic Open title this February.
“The left-hander will add a little bit of a point of difference for people watching and his talent won’t go unnoticed. Cullen’s level of ability and recent win will make him a strong contender and crowd favourite,” Greenhill said.
Currently ranked as Australia’s third highest female golfer behind Karrie Webb and last year’s Oates Vic Open winner Minjee Lee, many eyes will be on Canberra’s Nikki Campbell.
Noting Campbell’s past performance, Greenhill is excited to once again see her compete for the Oates Vic Open title.
“Nikki has played well in the Oates Vic Open previously and at 34 years of age I think she is probably coming into the prime of her golfing career. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see her name towards the top of the leader board on Sunday.”
Also trying to add his name to the men’s trophy alongside the likes of Norman, Thomson, Nagle and Player will be Peter Lonard, a veteran of Australian golf. Lonard is a former winner on the US PGA TOUR and a nine time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia. He is an Australian Open, Australian Masters and Australian PGA Champion. Winning his first Oates Victorian Open would add nicely to his exceptional record on home soil.
“Peter has a wonderful pedigree of playing history, and at 47 years of age he isn’t finished yet. Whilst he’s had a number of constraints with injury and illness over the journey, he is obviously on the comeback trail and has got a lot of golf left in him,” stated Greenhill.