DEFENDING CHAMPION: Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord defeated Perth product Hannah Green and Spaniard Nuria Iturrios by two shots here last year.

COURSE: Bonville Golf Resort, designed by Terry Watson and Ted Stirling, is often referred to as ‘Australia’s Augusta’ and was last year voted No.1 in Golf Australia magazine’s 50 Favourite Courses. It will play to 5,261 metres (par-72) this week.

PRIZEMONEY: €240,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Nineteen-year-old Ayean Cho has been extremely impressive in Aussie events this past fortnight, playing in the final group at the Vic Open and Women’s Australian Open. The South Korean said she would learn from the experience of playing alongside Inbee Park in the final round in Adelaide last week, so let’s see what she can do at Bonville – which will provide a different test to what she faced at 13th Beach and Royal Adelaide. 

RIGHT: Marianne Skarpnord will attempt to defend her title at Bonville Golf Resort this week. PHOTO: Michael Dodge/Getty Images. TOP: Brendan James.

American Christina Kim has rediscovered some of her best form on Australian soil, finishing T9 at the Vic Open and T10 at the Women’s Australian Open. The charismatic Kim will be feeling very confident as she returns to the Coffs Coast for the first time since finishing T22 in the inaugural event in 2018. Look for her to be in the thick of it this weekend.

72-HOLE RECORD: Frenchwoman Celine Boutier won the inaugural event at Bonville Golf Resort in 2018, reaching 10-under-par, 278 to defeat American Katie Burnett by two shots.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No previous Australian winners.

HOW TO WATCH: The final round (Sunday February 23) will be broadcast on SBS from 10am – 2:30pm (AEDT).