DEFENDING CHAMPION: Meghan MacLaren defended her 2018 title at Queanbeyan Golf Club last year, the 25-year-old finishing a thrilling final day on a 12 under total to take the trophy by three shots from Sweden’s Lynn Carlsson and Kiwi Munchin Keh.

COURSE: Originally opened in 1903, Dubbo Golf Club moved to its present site in 1921. The club adding a third nine hole loop in 1995 to offer 27 holes.

Lined by well-established native trees, the fairways and greens feature a significant amount of movement, offering a very different test to last week’s host Bonville.

PRIZEMONEY: €210,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Two-time defending champion Meghan MacLaren is impossible to look past. Returning to form with a T24 last week at Bonville, MacLaren seems to thrive on New South Wales’ regional courses that have become host to the Women’s Open each year and it would be a shock to see her not in the mix on Sunday.

RIGHT: Meghan MacLaren poses with the trophy after defending her title last year in the ACT. PHOTO: David Tease/Golf NSW.

After defeating the pros last week at Bonville Steph Kyriacou has joined the play for pay ranks. The Sydneysider now has a two-year Ladies European Tour exemption and having dominated the field and the tough layout near Coffs Harbour last week it is hard to imagine Kyriacou won’t be a chance here. Following a win as a 19-year-old will be a tough ask, but the local hope will be full of confidence and her game is absolutely firing at the moment.

RELATED: So-called expert tips for this week

The highest ranked player in the field, India’s Aditi Ashok is certainly one to keep an eye on here. Having played on the LPGA Tour regularly in the past three years, Ashok has proven she has the game to play with the best at times. However, missed cuts at the Australian and Vic Opens before tying for 24th last week means she is slightly hard to get a read on for 2020.

Rebecca Artis has spent time on the world’s biggest stage, but has chosen to hang up her clubs and relocate to Narrabri with husband and former caddies Geoff. Artis is taking the chance this week to farewell professional golf as close to home as possible after a stint caddying for good friend Dame Laura Davies in recent weeks and it would be great to see the Aussie go out with a bang.

72-HOLE RECORD: France’s Joanna Klatten reached 16 under in 2014 at Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney, defeating Nikki Campbell by three shots.

RECENT AUSSIE WINNERS: Sarah Oh (2010 & 2009) and Joanne Mills (2006).