Vic Open champions crowned at 13th Beach

VICTORIAN golfer Brett Coletta and Malaysian golfer Ashley Lau have been crowned 2024 Vic Open Champions at 13th Beach in Barwon Heads, despite both players not being in the final groupings.

Coletta played in the second-last group of the fourth and final round, shooting his way to a 7-under 65 day on the back of an eagle and six birdies.

Coletta finished at 18-under 270 through the four rounds, a pair of shots ahead of group partner Jordan Zunic (67).

“The form has been pretty good all week,” Coletta said post-win.

“It’s a round that’s been coming for a little while, probably for over six months. Ever since the Royal Queensland (Australian PGA) win it’s been a whirlwind, some ups and then some downs, plenty of downs.

“But the whole LIV experience was amazing. I was fortunate to be there, and I embraced it.”

Coletta won $75,000 and jumped into second place on the Australasian Tour Order of Merit behind Min Woo Lee, putting him in contention to receive a DP World Tour card at season’s end.

Lau (-12) outlasted fast-closing defending Vic Open champion Jiyai Shin (-11) by one shot thanks to a 6-under 66 effort to claim her first professional win.

Shin almost capped off a remarkable comeback, lipping out on the final hole annd thus unable to force a playoff.

Lau, who also received a $75,000 purse for the win, was on the practice greens when Shin attempted to complete her comeback on the final hole, too anxious to watch the former world number 1.

The 23-year-old described Australia as her second home, having spent two years of high school in Brisbane, which made her win more special.

“Malaysia has always been my home, but I have always called Australia my second home, and now the States is obviously my second home as well,” Lau said.

“Australia holds such a special place in my heart and has done since high school.

“It’s just so nice to be back after seven years, seeing a lot of old faces again and old friends.”

Up next on the PGA Tour of Australasia is the Webex Players Series Sydney at Castle Hill Country Club in New South Wales from Thursday.

Final Leaderboards

Men
-18: Brett Coletta (Vic) 69-71-65-65
-16: Jordan Zunic (NSW) 71-69-65-67; Andrew Martin (Vic) 65-74-65-68
-14: Jediah Morgan (Qld) 67-74-69-64; Travis Smyth (NSW) 70-66-72-66
-13: Billy Dowling (Qld), 67-69-73-66; Richard Green (Vic) 71-71-65-68; Nick Voke (NZ) 67-68-68-72; Kade McBride (Qld) 69-68-66-72
Women
-12: Ashley Lau (Malaysia) 68-74-69-66
-11: Jiyai Shin (Korea) 71-70-68-69
-10: Jeongmin Cho (Korea) 68-78-65-68
-8 Min A Yoon (Korea) 70-68-72-71
-7: Sarah Jane Smith (Qld) 68-77-66-71; Karis Davidson (Qld) 66-70-73-70; Shina Kanazawa (Japan) 70-68-73-71
-6: Shannon Tan (Singapore) 68-72-74-69
-5: Cassie Porter (Qld) 72-75-68-69
-4: Kylie Henry (Scotland) 69-72-71-74

For full leaderboards, head to www.golf.org.au/vicopen/scores