Last year the tournament had to switch from its traditional home of Columbia Edgewater Country Club because a homeless camp had been set up on the border of the course and officials thought it unsafe.

The tournament was then cut to 54 holes because of rain, the second consecutive year it was shortened after nearby bushfires made air quality a concern in 2020.

But organisers will no doubt be hoping all that is now behind them as one of the LPGA’s oldest tournaments returns to its traditional home at Columbia Edgewater this week.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Jin Young Ko found the switch of venues to her liking last year and despite a four week break from play dominated with a four stroke win.

Interestingly, Ko is not entered in the field this year though no reason has been given for her absence.

RIGHT: Jin Young Ko claimed the title at this event last year after a last minute change of venue, but the Korean won't defend this week. PHOTO: Steve Dykes/Getty Images.

COURSE: Columbia Edgewater boasts a rich tournament history on both the LPGA and PGA Tours.

Host of this event 34 of the 50 times it has been played, it is a familiar test for most in the field with the tournament scoring record of 21-under-par posted twice since 2015.

Laid out by noted local A.V Macan and opened in 1925, the course is routed in two loops of nine holes, one an inner circle running anti clockwise for the front nine and an outer loop played in a clockwise direction.

Tall evergreen trees line the course which plays narrow in places though for the most part it has more of an intimate than a claustrophobic feel.

Macan was well regarded among his Golden Age peers and Columbia is a quintessentially golden age course.

With little in the way of elevation change, it instead boasts subtle undulations and is a gentle though not easy test which requires golfers to have and play a multitude of shots.

Accuracy off the tee will be rewarded both to avoid the trees and afford playable angles into the greens while putting, as always at this level, will likely be the deciding factor in who wins.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,500,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Our own Hannah Green claimed her second LPGA title here in 2019 proving her first, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship no less, was no fluke.

Green tees up in Portland for the fifth time this week after missing the cut for the first time in 2021.

That tournament was played at a different course, however, and green’s record at Columbia Edgewater is good enough (T57, T12, Win) to warrant consideration this week.

The Portland Classic returns to its traditional home at Columbia Edgewater this year. PHOTO: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images.

The West Australian has seemed on the verge of doing something good all season but has yet to put everything together for four rounds.

She hasn’t missed a cut and has six top-10 finishes from 17 starts so familiar surrounds might be just the spark she needs this week.

A perennial contender and two-time winner at this course is Canada’s Brooke Henderson who has already hoisted two trophies this year.

Her win at the Evian Championship earlier this year might be a good omen for the Canadian who won her first major the same year she won her second Portland title.

Wins aside, Henderson has one other top-five in her six starts here and will likely be a factor late Sunday.

England’s Georgia Hall is another who has a liking for the course with a win and a runner-up in three previous starts here.

Hall comes into the week off a lengthy break, her last start a third place finish a month ago in Northern Ireland.

Young American Yealimi Noh has perhaps one of the most impressive records at this course, though, with a runner-up and a T3 finish in two appearances.

Her first start at the event was in 2019 after she Monday qualified as a rookie professional. She finished just one shot behind Green that week and it would be no surprise to see her claim a maiden LPGA title at this venue.

72-HOLE RECORD: 267 (-21, Hannah Green, 2019, Brooke Henderson, 2016)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Hannah Green (2019)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Hannah Green, Su Oh, Sarah Kemp, Sarah Jane Smith, Karis Davidson and Steph Kyriacou.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
*AEST, check local guides