Former Australian Masters champion Richard Green says the Victorian Open has been given added spice with the male and female professionals to play simultaneously in the last two rounds.
Green is the favourite to win the men’s tournament at Thirteenth Beach.
“I’ve always been a fan of the women and the men joining ranks and having the tournament in the same week,” said the left-handed Green.
“Any professional event would work well like that.
“It will be interesting, the conditions will be tough and it will have a strong links feel.”
Many eyes will also be trained on Daniel Popovic, who soared to prominence with his wire-to-wire win in the Australian PGA in mid-December.
The 26-year-old from Melbourne showed nerves of steel on the final day at Coolum.
The men’s field also includes Australian stalwarts Peter O’Malley, David Bransdon, Craig Parry, Andre Stolz and Bradley Hughes and New Zealander Gareth Paddison.
Rising Victorian star Stacey Keating will take some beating in the women’s section.
Keating won two national titles in a stellar 2012 that saw her power up the world rankings.
She captured her first career title at the Spanish Open in a playoff and backed that up with victory at the French Open, where she outlasted Italian favourite Diana Luna.
“I started playing well in Europe, knocking on the door a few times and then finally getting my first win,” Keating said.
“I was very confident after my first win which helped to get the second.”
The biggest name in the women’s field is big-hitting Englishwoman Laura Davies.
Also teeing off this week with bright prospects is West Australian Kristie Smith, 24, who has five professional wins under her belt including the 2011 New Zealand Women’s Open.
The four-round tournament begins on Thursday.