Su Oh prepares to defend Vic Open title

VICTORIAN golfer Su Oh will again have to see off the challenge of former world No.1 Jiyai Shin if she is to successfully defend her women’s Vic Open title at 13th Beach Golf Links next week.

In one of the most remarkable finishes in the event’s history, Oh came from seven shots behind at the start of the final round, played on an extremely windy day on the Bellarine Peninsula, to win the 2025 title by a single shot.

Among those she passed on the final day was Shin, the winner of 66 professional titles around the world including two major championships.

Su Oh with her trophy, which she won by a single shot.

Shin has a great record across the Beach and Creek courses at 13th Beach, winning the Vic Open in 2023 before taking second spot in 2024.

The WPGA Tour of Australasia event has become the traditional start to the year for the Korean, who ended 2025 ranked No.59 in the world and takes part in a pre-season camp in Victoria before heading to 13th Beach.

Joining Oh and Shin as chief contenders for the 2026 women’s title are Ladies European Tour (LET) members Kesley Bennett (NSW) and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (WA), and former Ladies British Masters champion Lydia Hall of Wales.

Featuring players from 12 different counties, the field also includes new LET member Justice Bosio, fellow Queenslander Hannah Reeves, who won her first three events as a professional last year, Drummond Golf Melbourne International champion Abbie Teasdale (WA) and The Athena champion Claire Shin (Qld).

Jiyai Shin has a great record across the Beach and Creek courses at 13th Beach, winning the Vic Open in 2023 and finishing runner-up in 2024.

The 2026 Vic Open will again see men and women play on the same courses, at the same time, for equal prize money.

The list of starters for the men’s Vic Open is headed by the 2023 winner, New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, former NZ Open champions Matt Griffin (Vic) and Brendan Jones (ACT), and three players who have already secured Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia titles in the 2025/26 season: Cam John (Vic), Austin Bautista (NSW) and Andrew Martin (Vic).

“Hosting the Vic Open for the 13th consecutive year reflects the City of Greater Geelong’s deep connection with golf and reinforces our region as a premier destination for major sporting events,” Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said.

“Year after year, the Vic Open delivers not just elite golf, but significant economic and tourism benefits to Greater Geelong.”

2023 Vic Open winner Michael Hendry is part of the men’s field.

The Vic Open will run from Wednesday, January 15 to January 18.

Entry is free, with carparking available on site. The final two rounds will be broadcast on Kayo and Foxtel.

The Vic Open is part of the second half of the “Summer of Golf” in Australia that includes the New Zealand Open and ISPS HANDA Japan Australasia Championship on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the women’s Australian Open and Australian WPGA Championship on the WPGA Tour of Australasia.

The 2026 Vic Open is supported through Visit Victoria and the Regional Event Fund.

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