Morobe open tees off

PAPUA New Guinea’s second biggest golf tournament, the A$110,000 (K277,000) Trukai Morobe Open, tees off today at the Lae Golf Club course with 43 professionals including defending champion Chris Wood competing in the richest tournaments on the Ladbrokes pro-am series.
Pros from Australia, South Korea, Fiji and PNG will be looking to do well with an eye to building up momentum heading into next week’s SP PNG Open in Port Moresby.
Although Wood, had mixed results through the back end of 2017 he will be looking to defend his title and record back-to-back victories in Lae, something which has only been achieved twice before in Morobe Open history.
“The win here last year really put me in a good position and gave me a lot of confidence at the time,” Wood said.
“Unfortunately I didn’t capitalise on the opportunity as much as I would have liked, but I’m feeling really good about this week and what 2018 will bring.”
Last year’s Queensland Ladbrokes pro-am series order of merit winner and 2016 Morobe Open champion Damien Jordan has returned to Lae looking to secure another win on the pro-am circuit for 2018.
The Tweed Coast professional is coming off a stellar year in 2017 on the Ladbrokes pro-am series where he won seven times.
“I played really good golf last year which resulted in some great finishes,” Jordan said.
“It was an honour and I was thrilled to win the Queensland order of merit for the second year in a row.
“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.”
Former Fiji International winner Steven Jefress will make his return to open following a five-year absence.
Jeffress has the experience when it comes to big events and as a past winner here in 2008 he will likely be in contention come the final round on Sunday.
“It’s my first trip to PNG in five years,” said Jeffress.
“It’s great to be back up here in PNG competing again, I hope to play well this week and the next to play myself into some form,” the 42-year-old added.
Queenslander Michael Wright, who won the open in 2009 and finished a credible second place last year, will be looking to go one better this time around.
Western Australian Daniel Fox who recently won the 2018 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA championship will be aiming to continue his good form in PNG.
The next generation of players cannot be discounted as they are waiting for their opportunity to take the title including Dale Brandt-Richards, Brett Rankin, Tim Hart, Matthew Stieger and Anthony Marchesani.
The Morobe Open offers the locals an opportunity to experience professional golf of an international flavour, the tournament is a great promotion for the game of golf and hopes to inspire the next generation of pro golfers in PNG.