Kensei Hirata, in the form of his life, won the Shinhan Donghae Open to make it two wins in two weeks after a fantastic final-day duel with Australia’s Travis Smyth.
Kiwi Kazuma Kobori’s chase for a third consecutive Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia title, a feat not achieved in almost two decades, and the appearance of a couple of women’s major golf champions will provide two of the major storylines at the Vic Open, which starts today.
Fresh off an outstanding 2023, Travis Smyth is kicking off the new year with high expectations at this week’s Vic Open where he arrives as the highest-ranked player in the men’s field.
The 28-year-old from the Illawarra region has been in resplendent form this year, with a best finish of third in the World City Championship in Hong Kong, one of six top-20s.
Travis Smyth, the 28-year-old Asian Tour pro from Kiama in New South Wales who played part of last year on LIV Golf, may not claim the claret jug this year, but he can always claim a Hoylake tournament first.
New Zealand Open champion Daniel Nisbet lit up the Palmerston Golf Course as he fired into the early lead at the MMC Northern Territory PGA Championship.
Australian Golf Digest
