Photo courtesy of Tristan Jones photography

LPGA star Cheyenne Woods’ announced today that she would be once again heading to Australia and will compete in the ActewAGL Canberra Classic which will be held from 9th - 11th February 2018.

Woods, the niece of Former world number 1 and legend of the game Tiger Woods, has signed on to tee it up once again at Royal Canberra Golf Club, the venue of her very first tournament in Australia back in 2013,

“I’m very excited to return to compete in the inaugural ActewAGL Canberra Classic and return to Royal Canberra.  I have very fond memories of Royal Canberra, where I played in my first ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.  I’ve heard there have been some changes made to the course, so I’m looking forward to rediscovering Royal Canberra with some fresh eyes.”

Woods will be chasing her second crown on Australian soil, she emerged victorious at the 2014 RACV Ladies Masters at RACV Royal Pines Resort, after a back nine battle with Australia’s current number one female golfer Minjee Lee, who will also be competing in the tournament.

That win was Woods` first on the ALPG and the Ladies European Tour and her second as a professional, she has since focused on playing on the highly competitive and lucrative US LPGA Tour.

Woods has clearly enjoyed her many trips to Australia and always enjoys taking in the local sights when travelling on tour,
“My first time in Australia was a few years ago and I didn’t realise how big it actually is! I’ve had the chance to see every bit of Australia in the years since so this year will be exciting.”

Woods will start her fourth season on the LPGA Tour in 2018 with non-exempt status after finishing the 2017 season 107th on the money list, but will be encouraged by a string of solid results on the LPGA towards the end of the season including a tie for 8th place at the Mackayson NZ Women`s Open in October
Her final start of 2017 was on the Ladies European Tour at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi in November, where her fourth-place finish was her best in 2017.

Woods will arrive in Australia in late January refreshed after a two-month layoff, her first stop being 13^th Beach Resort for the Oates Vic Open.

“I had the longest break I’ve had in I don’t know how many years! It was nice to spend some time at home, rest and enjoy being with family before getting back into practising,” said Woods.

“I’ve been working with my coach here in Phoenix on a few swing tweaks that I think will help with consistency and a bit of distance.”

“I’m planning out my schedule now so I don’t find myself too exhausted throughout the year and I’m always able to bring my A-game.”

ALPG CEO Karen Lunn said, “We are absolutely thrilled that Cheyenne has chosen to compete in the 2018 ActewAGL Canberra Classic. There is no doubt that she will be a massive drawcard for the tournament, and will provide Canberrans and others from the surrounding regions the opportunity to see her in action.\"

Lunn also was quick to point out the level of competition at this year’s tournament, “Cheyenne will join Australia’s number one player Minjee Lee in the field, along with Lee’s Australian compatriots Katherine Kirk, Sarah Jane Smith, Sarah Kemp, Rebecca Artis, Stacey Peters and Whitney Hillier along with an international line-up of stars who need little introduction.\"

\"Jiyai Shin, who is the current world number 25 was a crowd favourite when she claimed the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open title at Royal Canberra in 2013, and will join former Australian Open winners, former world number 1 Dame Laura Davies and 2019 European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew in the field.\"

\"Ladies European Tour Order of Merit winners the past two seasons Beth Allen and Georgia Hall are also confirmed, along with Solheim Cup stars Melissa Reid, Caroline Hedwall, Linda Wessberg and Florentyna Parker\"

 “We also have nine players in the field who represented their country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with the field being made up of 144 players from 32 different countries,” said Ms Lunn.

Michael Costello, CEO of ActewAGL said, “The local community are very excited for this tournament and today’s announcement of Cheyenne and other top international players joining the tournament highlights this is going to be a world-class event.

 “This golf tournament is just one of the many female sporting events and groups ActewAGL supports and we are proud to be a major supporter of women in sport here in the ACT and surrounding region.”

For more information about the tournament visit: http://www.alpg.com.au/aacc

For more information about Sponsorship please contact Tournament Director Lee Harrington on leeh@alpg.com.au or call 0413 163312

Hosted on Facebook LIVE and YouTube, fans across Australia and around the world will be able to follow the final 18 holes of the tournament thanks to the ActewAGL Canberra Classic’s professional broadcast team.