© Tristan Jones - LET

In the men's Oates Vic Open, played on the same golf course, alternating with the women, Simon Hawkes of Tasmania won with a birdie on the first play-off hole.

Hawkes said after: “It's my second year here and Michael Clayton said people think it's one of the best tournaments in Australia, and I really believe it too. Every year I come here, it gets better and better. The support we get here is phenomenal for boys and girls. "

Commenting on this innovative event, Mark Lichtenhein, president of the Ladies European Tour, said: " The Oates Vic Open was not only a great tournament but also a strong statement to start the 2018 Ladies European Tour season and we applaud the tireless work of Golf Victoria to create a unique golf experience for players and fans. Golf is a game that men, women, seniors and juniors play together. As a tour, we are proud to participate in a co-located tournament where men and women compete for the same price. Working together with Golf Victoria and our colleagues, the Australian Ladies Professional Golf and the PGA Tour of Australasia, we are delighted to have been able to present the event to a global audience through LET's distribution network. We will continue to seek further innovation and the growth of this progressive event. "

Karen Lunn, CEO of Australian Ladies Professional Golf, said: “The Oates Vic Open grows and improves every year thanks to the vision of Golf Victoria, the support of the state and the national government, the engagement of the players, the tours and the involvement of the local community. . The tournament continues to be a global leader in providing equal opportunities for men and women and once again this year's event was a huge success with all participants. "

Oates Vic Open champion Minjee Lee will travel to Canberra on Monday for the all-new ActewAGL Canberra Classic, which will be played at the Royal Canberra Golf Club from Friday, which will be the second of four tournaments co-sanctioned by the LET and ALPG.

Georgia hall had a great start to 2018 in Australia

Georgia Hall, winner of the 2017 Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, picked up where she left off with an excellent start to the 2018 season with a tie for third at the Oates Vic Open.

Rounds of 70, 73, 74 and 68 saw him finish the tournament at seven under par at the 13th Beach Golf Links near Melbourne, six strokes behind the winner, Australian Minjee Lee. With a price tag of nearly 22 euros, it should climb to the top of the order of merit when the rankings are released on Tuesday.

“It was a great last day. I did a lot better and really took advantage of the parities, ”said the 21-year-old from Wimborne in Dorset. “I had three eagles and unfortunately not a single one fell, but it was a good way to start the season and I'm happy with the way I played and learned things about my game so I 'look forward to the next edition »

Georgia Hall won the 2016 Oates Vic Open before being co-sanctioned by LET and after jumping 2017 she said: “I can see the growth of the event since I won. The crowds are three times the size and there are more stands, so the event has become more recognized than when I already played and won here. It was nice to play on the same courses. "

“I think this type of event should happen more often. It's great that we share the same golf courses and the same range of practice as the men. Hope this will make it clear that male and female players can play in the same place and be equally entertaining. "