Australian golf legend confirmed for Vic Open

WINNER of 41 LPGA Tour titles and Senior LPGA champion in 2022, Australian golfing legend Karrie Webb has confirmed her return to the Vic Open in Barwon Heads from February 9-12.

The seven-time major champion will play at 13^th Beach for the first time since 2020, while 2022 Australian All Abilities champion Kipp Popert is also set to debut at the Vic Open.

The Vic Open continues to be one of the marquee attractions on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia schedules.

Both men and women will play for a $420,000 purse with Webb adding an element of class to the women’s event, won by Hannah Green last year.

“We are understandably thrilled to have players of the calibre of Karrie and Kipp commit to play in the 2023 Vic Open,” Golf Australia general manager of events and operations, Therese Magdulski said.

“Since its move to a mixed-gender format in 2012, the Vic Open has proven to be extremely popular with both players and fans alike.

“Karrie’s record is without peer in Australian golf and I have no doubt that golf fans on the Bellarine Peninsula and throughout Greater Melbourne will flock to 13th Beach to watch one of our greats in the relaxed environment that the Vic Open has become famous for.”

Magdulski welcomed the addition of Englishman Popert.

Born with a form of cerebral palsy, Popert became the first player with a disability to qualify for The Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes in June, 2022.

Popert shot a two-under 69 in the final round at Victoria Golf Club to win the Australian All Abilities Championship in December.

Now, he will step up to take on the best players on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Kipp ended 2022 No.1 on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability, emphasised by his tremendous come-from-behind win at the Australian All Abilities Championship at Victoria Golf Club,” Magdulski added.

“By entering into the men’s field of the Vic Open, Kipp is further highlighting that there are no limits to what golfers with a disability can achieve in the game.

“We can’t wait to see what he does at 13th Beach.”

The Vic Open forms one of six Victorian events on the 2022/2023 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour schedules.

Following an announcement last November, the 2023 championship marks the 10th consecutive hosting of the Vic Open at 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads.

It is the first of a new two-year deal.

The Vic Open kicks off at 13th Beach Golf Links on February 9 with the two Vic Open champions, the Vic Inclusive and the Australian Wheelchair champions to be crowned on February 12.