The field of the 2016 Oates Vic Open continues to grow with Nick Cullen, Rebecca Artis, Peter Fowler and Laura Davies all confirmed starters when the highly anticipated event begins next Thursday 4 February.

Cullen has played impressive golf over the last 12 months. The South Australian began 2015 with plenty of momentum after his breakthrough 2014 Australian Masters victory which continued through to the Oates Vic Open in February last year, finishing runner-up after a two-hole playoff with eventual champion Richard Green. Cullen enjoyed a number of high finishes in 2015 including a tied third place finish at the 2015 Fiji International and a share of fifth at the 2015 Emirates Australian Open.

In the women’s field, Artis is back for her fourth consecutive appearance at the Oates Vic Open. The 27 year old is the third ranked Australian women’s professional behind Minjee Lee and tournament drawcard Karrie Webb. Artis’ 2015 season was headlined by a win at the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.

Tournament Director, David Greenhill says the addition of Cullen and Artis bolsters the field.

"Nick and Rebecca are world class players and greatly add to a long list of players who’ll challenge for the respective men’s and women’s titles this year. The quality of the 2016 fields is clearly the best yet with the largest ever contingent of international players competing in the Women’s Oates Vic Open in particular," Greenhill said. 

Also returning to the Oates Vic Open field in 2016 is the experienced duo of Davies and Fowler.

Davies has one of the most impressive resumes in golf with 84 professional wins worldwide, including 20 victories on the LPGA Tour and four majors.

The English Dame has played the tournament every year since it was moved to Thirteenth Beach Golf Links in 2013, finishing T7, T11 and T8 respectively over the past three years.  

Peter Fowler has produced some great golf for a number of decades and the 56 year old showed no signs of slowing down in 2015, winning the ISPS Handa European PGA Seniors Championship by three strokes last June. 

"To have legendary players such as Laura and Peter is a wonderful boost to the Oates Vic Open. Golf Victoria is very appreciative of their ongoing support for our Championship as we look to build it even further in partnership with the State Government, the City of Greater Geelong and our many corporate partners, headed of course by Oates," stated Greenhill.

"Laura has achieved practically everything in women’s professional golf while Peter continues to perform on the world stage, with both helping lead the way for the next generation of players coming through."

Cullen, Artis, Davies and Fowler join the field which includes 11 past champions and former world number one Karrie Webb.

The Oates Vic Open is a sanctioned event on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the ALPG Tour. 

The event will be played 4-7 February at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. Live streaming of the final two rounds on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February will be available on screens throughout the venue and at www.golfvic.org.au/oatesvicopenlive. 

Visit www.golfvic.org.au/vicopen for all tournament information.