Played in honour of the late PGA Tour Jarrod Lyle, TPS Murray River made its debut on the local circuits last year when Hannah Green wrote her name into the history books of tournament golf.

Green isn’t on the banks of the famous river this week, but Min A Yoon who followed her feat of winning a mixed event last week at Rosebud is part of a strong field contesting the trophy and the lion’s share of the increased $250,000 prize purse.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: It was an historic inaugural staging for this event back in 2022.

Fresh off her Vic Open win at 13th Beach, Hannah Green went back-to-back and in the process became the first woman to win a 72-hole mixed gender event.

Green’s heroics went around the world and brought more attention to the burgeoning The Players Series concept.

Green held at least a share of the lead over all four rounds, and started the final day in a four-way tie for top spot.

RIGHT: Hannah Green made world news, and history, on the mighty Murray last year. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

A tight contest appeared on the cards until a chip-in eagle at the 10th for the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion saw her pull clear. Green eventually finishing at 20-under for her slice of history and a four shot margin over Andrew Evans and Hayden Hopewell.

The strong showing for the women’s contingent last year added to by Grace Kim, Momoka Kobori and Cassie Porter also finishing in the top-10.

As she prepares for her 2023 LPGA campaign, Green will not defend this week.

COURSE: Cobram Barooga Golf Club contains 36 holes of typical Murray River golf and is located a short drive to Lyle’s hometown of Shepparton.

As was the case last year, the Club’s Old Course steps as host this week, the Sloan Morpeth design generally considered the better of the layouts over the West Course.

Undergoing recent changes, including to the formerly uphill slog 18th to close the round, the Old Course rose four spots on the Golf Australia magazine Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking for 2023 to No.90.

Said Scott Matthews of the ranking panel: “The redesign work on the Old Course have grown in and enhanced a round here. The new 18th, a short par-4 that offers a semi-blind tee shot, is memorable as is the driveable old 1st hole, which sits better within the re-routing as the 16th. Both holes create a wonderful climax to the round where anything can happen, depending on your level of aggression from the tee.”

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: $250,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Picking a winner here will be a tough task due to the number of top class and in form players looking to join the winner’s circle, or in some cases return.

One such player is WA PGA champion David Micheluzzi who was once again in the hunt at Rosebud last week.

In form Victorian David Micheluzzi wouldn't surprise if he was in the mix come Sunday afternoon. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

Micheluzzi showed his quality during the Australian Open late last year and the course at Cobram should suit the Victorian.

Although Green isn’t in the field this week, her fiancé and fellow TPS event winner Jarryd Felton is and could well create another slice of history if he was to take the trophy from Green’s possession this week.

A high quality ball striker, Felton won last year’s rain shortened TPS Sydney so clearly enjoys the format that mixes men, women, juniors and now All Abilities players.

Of those All Abilities competitors, last week’s winner Cam Pollard is well worth a watch if you find yourself in the are or in front of the TV over the week, so too his fellow TPS Victoria champion Min A Yoon whose solid play last week holds her in good stead for the Epson Tour season ahead.

Cassie Porter was impressive here last year and is worth consideration again after her maiden pro win at the WPGA Melbourne Invitational in January.

The rookie pro will have plenty of players at the same of their career, including Kirsten Rudgeley, Kelsey Bennett, Connor McKinney and Hayden Hopewell.

All four had impressive amateur careers, with Hopewell winning on the Aussie Tour while still in the unpaid ranks.

The West Australian shared second here last year behind Green and is in with a chance to go one better this week.

Still in the amateur game, Justice Bosio shot a course record at Rosebud and was right in the mix, so form is on her side as she continues to ride the emotional high of earning an invite to the home of The Masters for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Of the many other prospective winners in the field a few to keep an eye on are James Marchesani, Haydn Barron, Maverick Antcliff and Kiwi Nick Voke.

72-HOLE RECORD: 264 (-20, Hannah Green, 2022)

TV TIMES*
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 2:30pm – 5:30pm)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 12:30pm – 5:30pm)
*AEDT, check local guides