For the first time in its storied history, Royal Melbourne Golf Club will be the host of a women's professional golf event with 156 players competing this week for a $1.1 million, or €845,210, purse.

Rolex World No.1 Yani Tseng, who claimed the title last year at Commonwealth Golf Club, is looking for an unprecedented third consecutive ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open title.

With a total of six of the top-10 players in the Rolex Rankings present, her challengers include World No.2 Suzann Pettersen, World No.4 Cristie Kerr, No. 7 Jiyai Shin, No. 9 Stacy Lewis and No. 10 Brittany Lincicome.

Tseng captured a total of 12 victories worldwide in 2011 while establishing herself as the clear player to beat in women's golf.

She set up her season with two wins in Australia and said: "That was one of my best memories ever. I played TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost Putterat Commonwealth the last two years. I am very happy to be back here and play Royal Melbourne.

"It is an unbelievable golf course. It was pretty tough. The greens were fast. I am very excited and can't wait to go out and have fun."

She is hoping that some recent swing changes will pay off this week.

"This is a new year for me. I have been working real hard in the off season to change my swing a bit, to make TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost Putter
more consistent. I think I am ready for this year.

"I have tried to change my back swing. I have tried to get physically stronger, so my swing can match my physique. I have been working out very good. My trainer was in Orlando with me last month, and my coach. We work really hard.
"I have more power. I don't swing as hard as before. I feel I am swinging easier and striking the ball better.

I feel that if I swing 70-80 percent, the ball is still flying better than before. I always tried to swing really hard. Now I don't swing so hard but the ball still goes that far. I am very happy about that...I can still rip TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost Putter

For Norwegian Pettersen, a member of the victorious European Solheim Cup team in Ireland last September, the off-season provided the perfect opportunity to take up a new hobby: cycling. She has been spending over an hour each morning on her new bike and now feels fit and ready to go.