A refreshing change to the regular diet of strokeplay tournaments, the match play welcomes a solid field and is played on the once really seen private playground of casino mogul Steve Wynn just north of the centre of ‘Sin City’.

In its complete form, the tournament is called The Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play presented by MGM Rewards, which belies the simplicity of its format where players simply need to beat the player they are teeing it up against.

A round robin plays out over three days, with a Wednesday start, before the knockout section begins.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: American Ally Ewing claimed a second LPGA Tour win in 2021, her victory coming down to the penultimate hole.

Ewing made a three foot putt at the 17th hole to claim a 2&1 over major champion Sophia Popov of Germany.

RIGHT: Ally Ewing took down Sophia Popov in the final in 2021 to secure her second LPGA title. PHOTO: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images.

Meanwhile, Ariya Jutanugarn took third place after Shanshan Feng conceded the match to conserve energy ahead of the U.S. Women’s Open.

COURSE: Steve Wynn poured plenty of money into what would become Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, charging Tom Fazio with the job of creating an oasis of golf in the desert.

An incredible amount of land was moved to create elevation changes, expansive bunkering and much to the chagrin of those with more traditional tastes in golf course architecture, waterfalls.

Opening for play in 1989, underwent an update in 2008 that saw more length added, with the par-72 now tipping out at 7,560 yards although it will play to 6,804 yards this week for the best women in the game.

Once a very private course, golfers can now get access to Shadow Creek at some expenses, while professional golf fans are getting more glimpses thanks to this event, the PGA Tour’s visit for the CJ Cup and the first edition of The Match when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson went head-to-head.

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,500,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Minjee Lee won in her last start, is playing arguably the best golf of her career and performed well in this event last week. So expect the West Aussie to feature once again this week.

Minjee Lee is one of the form players in world golf and shapes as a big chance this week. PHOTO: Sarah Stier/Getty Images.

Lee has a game tailor made for match-play, her extremely consistent ball striking putting pressure on opponents constantly throughout a match, while her steely persona gives no quarter.

Like Lee, Hannah Green is a major champion and in some great form, but the Vic Open and TPS Murray River champion is yet to collect an LPGA win so far this year. But it wouldn’t surprise if it came this week.

Green’s ball striking is also a strength, but her power off the tee is arguably her biggest asset around Shadow Creek.

The recently engaged 25-year-old will have better looks into the tricky Fazio designed greens than many of her opponents this week, and if her approach play is firing, she poses as a serious contender.

Outside the Aussies, Danielle Kang is a gritty competitor and being based in Vegas will know Shadow Creek better than many of the others teeing it up this week.

Kang has become one of the leaders for the Americans in the Solheim Cup on the back of her tenacity, and she is a precise ball striker who loves combative golf.

Since winning her first major earlier this year, Jennifer Kupcho has been tracking along nicely and shapes as a good chance here.

More recently playing the amateur game with more match-play events than some of her competitors, Kupcho made a splash at her first Solheim Cup and is trending in the right direction.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No previous Australia winner.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Hannah Green, Minjee Lee and Su Oh.

TV TIMES*
Day 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 3.30am – 7am)
Day 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 9am – 12pm)
Day 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 9am – 12pm)
Day 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 7:30am – 10:30am)
Day 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 8:30am – 11:30am)
*AEST, check local guides