There are enough challenges at Bonville without the elephant in the room at this week’s Australian Women’s Classic.

But for Tunrada Piddon and the rest of the 132-strong field, planning for the impending deluge from a slowly-forming East Coast Low, is just as important as flushing her 8-iron.

Forecasts have varied wildly throughout the week, but it’s hard to imagine that rain won’t impact this 54-hole event at some point in the next day or two.

So as Piddon did her best amid some Thursday afternoon drizzle, she took as much information as possible from her surrounds in a crash course on wet-weather golf, Coffs Coast style. 

The Thai sensation, already third in Orange and runner-up in Bathurst in her first tour of Australia as a professional, played just eight holes before the heavens opened.

“All I was doing, really, was trying to learn distance difference from when it was dry,” the recently graduated University of Central Florida product said.

“The rain actually made the greens easier to play … they were fast on Tuesday. But the ball didn’t roll as far on the fairways, so for me it’s like trying to make that (judgement) in the different situations.”

Piddon, scheduled to play in the afternoon in Round 1 on Friday, is fully aware that her afternoon could be interrupted.

“There’s not much you can do … you just need to stay focused,” she said.

“Some people can let interruptions get to them, but for me I’m pretty good because I have my sister (fellow professional Peerada) as my caddie this week and we’ll talk a lot.

“Also, if I go bad but then have a break, I’ll use that to cool down and think about what I need to do.”

Bonville’s water table is nowhere near as high as it was back in 2022 when rain played havoc with the event.

But even then, this spectacular layout was able to drain quickly when the rain eased up to enable the tournament to be completed.

Tournament organisers at the Ladies European Tour have notified all players that it’s their strong desire to complete all 54 holes, but not to go into Monday unless it’s just for a few groups, most likely vying for the title.

They’ve also been told that if the weather deteriorates rapidly, there is a chance of a 36-hole event with an 18-hole cut.

But all such possibilities are just that for now – possibilities only.

The only certainty is that the champion on Sunday (hopefully) night will have conquered the mental as well as the physical challenges this great event will surely throw up.