Vogel makes the cut as Sarah Jane Smith takes out TPS Murray River crown in enthralling Sunday battle

By Zac Standish

Feb 6, 2023

Winner winner: Queenslander Sarah Jane Smith took out the 2023 TPS Murray River crown. Photo: Australian Golf Media

Golf fans from across the region were treated to four days of riveting action at the weekend as Queensland’s Sarah Jane Smith took out the 2023 TPS Murray River crown in thrilling fashion.

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Locked in a tight final-round battle with Victorian pair Matias Sanchez, Shae Wools-Cobb and Andrew Martin, the 389th-ranked player on the WPGA tour rose to the occasion on the back nine to finish -20 for the weekend and come away a five-shot winner.

Three birdies in four holes from the 10th to the 14th set up the victory for Smith, as she did not hit a bogey in the final round to pull away from her competitors after heading into Sunday a joint-leader.

The second person to win the TPS Murray River crown, and her first tournament victory in 15 years, Smith said she was “incredibly proud” of the way she played.

“I am very happy with the week, I am incredibly proud of the way I played,” Smith said.

“Being a tighter course I knew this course would suit me, so I was excited to come here and play.

“It’s incredible (to get a win), I couldn’t have wished for anything more.”

Smith succeeds Australian golf ace Hannah Green as the TPS Murray River champion, after the 20th-ranked player on the women’s tour decided not to return to Cobram-Barooga and defend her crown.

From a Goulburn Valley point of view it was a relatively successful weekend with a pair of stars making the cut.

Happy days: Kitt Bittle after hitting a hole-in-one. Photo: Australian Golf Media

Fresh off a successful summer period that yielded a pair of Pro-Am victories in Yarram and Maffra and a second-placed finish at a PGA Tour event at Warragul, Shepparton’s Kyle Michel continued his solid form with another promising showing.

Finishing -2 after the four days, Michel finished in a tie for 31st place as he battled to end the tournament under par.

The most impressive aspect of the Shepparton gun’s game at the weekend was the way he battled back after a tough start, when he shot a three-over par 74 on day one.

Readjusting after the tough beginning, he proceeded to shoot three-under on Friday to ensure he made the cut before shooting 69 in the third round to enter the final day under par.

While not in contention for a win on Sunday, he did still have a lot to play for and did not disappoint, as he ended up shooting a 71 to end his weekend at -2.