Date: January 14, 2015
Author: Mark Hayes

Woods returning to Melbourne for Open

Rising American star Cheyenne Woods will return to the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open next month.

Woods, 24, made a huge splash in Australia last year when she won the Ladies Masters at Royal Pines for her first victory on a major professional tour.

To much acclaim, she then shot a brilliant second-round 65 the following week at Victoria Golf Club to leap into contention at the Women’s Australian Open before finishing tied 23rd.

Woods, the niece of long-time world No.1 Tiger Woods, was a huge fan favourite in Melbourne, even winning hundreds of admirers during a photo shoot in the CBD before the tournament began.

“I can’t wait to go back to Melbourne – I had an absolute blast year and I’m sure it will be the same again this time around,” Woods said.

“The people are friendly, I really loved the course style and I can’t wait to play the famous Royal Melbourne Golf Club.”

Woods, also a member of the Ladies European Tour, won her LPGA Tour card in December when she finished 11th in the gruelling Q-school in Florida.

Her addition bolsters an already stellar Women’s Australian Open field with four of the top 10 players in the Rolex World Rankings teeing up, including five-time and defending champion Karrie Webb.

New Zealand star Lydia Ko has already confirmed her return to the Sandbelt where she’ll do battle with emerging Aussie ace Minjee Lee for the first time as a professional.