Morobe Open tees off with K189,000 prize

THE Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series ventures to Papua New Guinea this week for the 2019 Morobe Open where 40 professionals are competing for A$80,000 (K189,751) in prize money at the Lae Golf Club.
Teeing off yesterday, professionals and amateurs from across Australia, Korea, New Zealand and PNG are competing for the Morobe Open title in what is one of the richest events on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series schedule.
Winner of the 2008 Morobe Open, Steven Jeffress makes his return to the Morobe province in 2019 as one of the most experienced players in the field.
A performer on the international stage, Jeffress will be one to watch across the weekend where his skill and knowledge will prove beneficial at the Lae Golf Club layout.
“It’s great to be back up here in PNG competing again,” Jeffress said.
“It’s a great course and the competition is always of the highest level.
“The Morobe Open is such a great event and the people are so welcoming which is why I come back.”
Winner of the Morobe Open in 2012, Victorian Josh Younger will be looking to add another Morobe Open title to his list of tournament victories at a course he believes will favour smart play.
“I enjoy the golf course here in Lae,” said Younger.
“The fairways are narrow; you really have to pick your lines off the tee. There are plenty of birdie opportunities on this course; you just need to keep yourself in play.”
Coming off a stellar year on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series in 2018 that included five wins and 12 top-10 finishes, Queensland’s Brett Rankin has also returned to the Morobe province looking to secure his second win on the pro-am circuit for 2019.
“I played really well last year which resulted in some great finishes,” Rankin said.
“It was an honour and I was thrilled to win the Queensland swing Order of Merit.
“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to play a four round tournament here in Lae. The course is once again in great condition and I am looking forward to what will be a memorable week.”
Alongside Jeffress, Younger and Rankin, the Morobe Open field is one of the strongest seen in recent years.
Featuring Australasia PGA tournament winners Daniel Fox, Brad Moules and Matthew Stieger, Lae Golf Club will also host some of 2019’s best series competitors in Tim Hart, Braden Becker, Brady Watt and Rory Bourke.
The Morobe Open gives local golfers the opportunity to experience an international tournament, offering great promotion of golf with hopes to inspire the next generation of PNG golfers.