The BMW Ladies Championship features a 78-player limited field with no cut and is being played for the third time as an LPGA event.

Many of the game’s top stars are entered, though Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson are all skipping the event.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: A stirring final round of 64 saw Jin Young Ko into extra time against Hee Jeong Lim and a birdie at the first play-off hole was enough to secure victory. It was Ko’s fourth win in eight starts and second consecutive after claiming the Founders Cup two weeks earlier. Ko is back to defend this year and as World No.1 will rightly start as the tournament favourite.

COURSE: Previously played at the LPGA International course in Busan, the BMW Ladies Championship makes a move this year to the Oak Valley Country Club near Seoul.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II and opened in 1998, there are 36 holes split into four nines at the resort with three of those loops to be used for the tournament.

This is the course’s first exposure to international and professional golf and information is difficult to come by.

RIGHT: Atthaya Thitikul has Jin Young Ko's top spot on the world rankings in her sights. PHOTO: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

Hole maps on the club’s website suggest a layout with sparse though cleverly placed bunkering where trees may be an issue on some holes.

A field of this calibre is unlikely to be troubled by either the length (6,150 metres) or any narrowness and assuming the greens aren’t crazy fast or undulating expect scoring to be low.

PRIZEMONEY: US$2,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With six of the world’s top-10 in the field and four of the top-five expect a competitive week.

On home soil Jin Young Ko will have plenty of support but this is her first tournament back since taking time off in August to recover from a wrist injury and rust may be a factor.

Lydia Ko has been the in form player all year though with just one victory to show for it will be rightly disappointed.

In her last seven starts (going back to July) the Kiwi has been out of the top-five placings just twice and only one of those was outside the top-10.

That’s a rare run of form at this level and while there are no guarantees in golf it’s difficult to believe she won’t get across the line soon.

Among those earning invites is 2012 US Women’s Open champion Na Yeon Choi who announced her retirement from the LPGA earlier this month.

This will be the last time Choi tees up in her homeland as an LPGA player and while her form for much of 2022 has been less than good the occasion might just inspire her.

Two-time winner this year and likely Rookie of the Year winner Atthaya Thitikul is another to watch, the Thai star now ranked second in the world and playing well.

Finishing fourth and T8 in her last two starts suggests her game is in good shape and with the World No.1 ranking in her sights there is no shortage of motivation for the 19-year-old.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this tournament.

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

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 2pm – 6pm)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 2pm – 6pm)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 2pm – 6pm)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 2pm – 6pm)
*AEDT, check local guides