Like many of the PGA Championships around the world, the Victorian iteration went through a period as match play, after starting as a strokeplay event and returning to the latter permanently in 1956.

With many of the biggest names in Australian golf etching their name on the honour roll in the past, the event is now a pro-am format played across the two courses of Moonah Links for the last three stagings.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: It was a break through professional win for Blake Windred here at the end of last year when the Vic PGA signalled the start of the new PGA Tour of Australasia season. The tournament having been played earlier in the year as part of the previous season.

Long touted as a player of great potential, the Novocastrian signed for a final round of three-under 69 on the Open Course to claim a one shot victory of veteran Brad Kennedy, who was playing alongside him in the final group.

Windred’s 12-under total was eight shots more than Christopher Wood needed to win in February, but his play alongside amateur partner Paul Rodney earned the pair a second win in the pro-am section.

RIGHT: Blake Windred claimed his first ever professional win here last year and is back looking to repeat the effort. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

COURSE: Located in the golf rich Cups region of Victoria, Moonah Links Resort is well known for its original purpose as the new ‘Home of Australian Golf’ with plans to use it as a base for the Australian Open.

It did fill that role for a period, but it has now evolved into a residential area and resort with two courses ranked in the Top-100 Courses in the country that both welcome the local Tour this week.

Designed by Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge and Ross Perrett and ranked No.68 this year, the Open Course is certainly the tougher of the two 18-hole trips the players will make this year, with wind inevitably a factor as well as the pot bunkers that populate the fairways and green surrounds.

The Open will measure 6,102 metres thus week, while the Legends Course at 5,785 metres will likely offer more scoring opportunities.

Sitting at 47th in the 2022 rankings, the Legends is the work of Perrett and is more friendly, offers more varied golf and will challenge the players to use their creativity and a diverse range of clubs throughout the week.

PRIZEMONEY: $250,000

RELATED: So-called expert tips

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Defending champions on the same course always deserve some respect, and Blake Windred is more than deserving here.

Windred used his win here to springboard a season where he finished second on the Order of Merit and stamped his ticket for the DP World Tour card season starting in a fortnights at the Australian PGA.

The Legends Course at Moonah Links will likely offer more scoring opportunities this week. PHOTO: Brendan James.

After a pair of runner-up finishes late in the 2021/22 season at home, the soon to be 25-year-old had a very disappointing season in Europe where he didn’t play the weekend in any of his world ranking counting events. He did put some money in the bank via LIV Golf, and will be hungry to find some form again at a comfortable venue.

Two events into the season, the winners in Western Australia will be hoping to continue their form in Fingal.

Both Deyen Lawson and David Micheluzzi know this venue and are playing with confidence after some big wins.

There is also a host of experienced players teeing it up here.

Marcus Fraser has left the teaching tee at Peninsula Kingswood and is a good chance if the wind blows, while Matt Griffin is back from Japan and a genuine chance to add his state PGA to his state Open title.

Of the players returning from overseas Tours, Zach Murray will look to put some disappointing results behind him, so too Blake Collyer on return from missing out at DP World Tour qualifying school.

Mat Goggin also has jumped over to the mainland from building one of the most anticipated courses in recent memory at Seven Mile Beach in Tasmania and will be interesting to track the former PGA Tour’s progress throughout the summer.

72-HOLE RECORD: 266 (-22, Alistair Presnell, 2010)

RECENT WINNERS: Blake Windred (2021), Christopher Wood (2021), Campbell Rawson (2019), Aaron Pike (2018), Damien Jordan (2017).

TV TIMES*
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 2pm – 5pm)
Round 4: Sunday Fox Sports 505 12pm – 5pm)
*AEDT, check local guides