The LPGA will hold its first event of 2013 in the capital of Australia at the Royal Canberra Golf Club in Canberra, New South Wales, Australia.

Royal Canberra Golf Club was founded in 1926 is located in the southeastern portion of Australia, between Sydney and Melbourne.

It is a 37-36 par-73 and will play to 6,672 yards with three par-5 holes on the front nine.

Jessica Korda won the 2012 ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open on the second hole of a six-way playoff at Royal Melbourne,

Stacy Lewis will be looking to get off to a fast start to defend her 2012 LPGA Tour Player of the Year honor. No. 2 in the world, Na Yeon Choi, will be trying to gain on world No. 1 Yani Tseng.

Ms. Tseng wants to continue her good play from the end of 2012 when she posted top-10 finishes in three of her last five starts.

Tseng struggled throughout much of the summer in 2012.  Choi and Lewis have gained on Tseng and either woman could overtake her with a good start this year.   

Beginning the year in Australia emphasizes the international flavor of the LPGA Tour.  South Korean, Asian, and European players have dominated the LPGA over the past 15 years.

LPGA Tour members will earn a lot of frequent flyer miles attending tournaments in Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, the Bahamas, Canada, Europe, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan over the course of the year.

The Australian Women’s Open can be seen on the Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday, February 14-15, 12:30-2:30 PM EST. It will be aired on Saturday, 3:00-6:00 PM EST and on Sunday, 3:00-6:30 PM EST.