Cory back for PNG tilt

GOLD Coaster Cory Crawford will this week be out to defend the Papua New Guinean title that acted as his big breakthrough last year.

Crawford is the reigning SP PNG Golf Open champion, having pipped rival Brett Rankin on a sixth sudden-death hole in the 2017 edition.

That win skyrocketed the 25-year-old’s earnings, adding more than $20,000 to the mere $875 he had previously won that year.

A prize pool of $145,000 is up for grabs at the four-day event teeing off at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club today.

Among Crawford’s challengers will be Tweed Heads golfer Damien Jordan, the 2017 Victorian PGA champion.

Others in the field include Steven Jeffress, Daniel Fox and James Marchesani.