Richard Green and Marianne Skarpnord wrote their own
fairytale in 2015 taking out the Oates Vic Open double.

Last year the engaged couple had just moved into their new home
on the course at 13^th Beach and by Sunday night they had even more
to celebrate as they each won their respective Vic Open titles.  

"It was such an amazing week for us. We moved into our house
earlier in the week which was a huge positive for us," said Green.

"Then to both be at the same tournament, at the same time
and to win and have the hole-in-one, it was a remarkable week."

"It was one of those weeks where everything just goes right.
It was just amazing and I will never forget it."

While the whole of 13^th Beach Golf Links has been
abuzz with hope that Barwon Head’s favourite couple could take out the titles
again a serious question mark has been placed over the likelihood.

Richard Green revealed today that he is battling a back
injury that could even prevent him from stepping onto the tee tomorrow.

"It’s going to be hard to live up to last year. Unfortunately
this year I am nursing a back injury so I really will find it hard to repeat
that feat but I am going to try my best," added Green.

"The injury is something that I have done before and
something that I have recovered from so I’m not overly concerned. It’s just a
shame it’s happened within two weeks of this tournament but I am trying to push
my recovery to play."

A fortnight ago, completing his regular gym routine, the 44-year-old
felt his back seize up and was forced to withdraw from two European Tour
events.

While Green has been focused on getting his back right for
his title defence, he has talked down his chances of back-to-back titles should
he be able to play tomorrow.  

"I would have liked to of played the two tournaments in the
Middle East leading up to this tournament. I would have been in the same sort
of form as this time last year had I played them," continued Green who is drawn
to play in the same group as Nick Cullen who he beat in a playoff in 2015 for
the title.

"But I unfortunately had to withdraw so I am as rusty and
cold as can be and that’s going to make my competitiveness from last year hard
to match."

"If I can play tomorrow, get myself fit enough to play, I’m
probably not going to be anywhere near good enough form to compete with Nick."

An appointment this afternoon with an Osteopath will be the
deciding factor for Green, who is walking the fine line between defending a title
important to him and doing no further harm for his season ahead.

"I am just concerned about doing anymore damage. I have an
osteo appointment this afternoon and I am just going to rely on his opinion,"
added Green.

"I have to be really careful about this decision. If I play
tomorrow I will know that I am not doing anymore damage and it’s just hopefully
going to free up as time goes by."