While it sounds like a sneeze, Cazoo is in fact a UK based online car buying and selling platform which takes the concept of home delivery to a whole new level.

This is the first of three DP World Tour tournaments the company has attached their name to with Wales and France next up on the venue list.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Calum Hill won the first staging of this event in 2021 though that was played at a different golf course, the London Golf Club.

Scotland’s Hill started the final round three behind Rasmus Hojgaard but a five-under 67 – including a back nine 33 – was enough to see him across the line.

COURSE: Those with an interest in golf course design will be heartened by the move from London Golf Club to Hillside for this year’s tournament.

RIGHT: Scotland's Calum Hill claimed the Cazoo Classic in 2021 at London Golf Club. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

While overshadowed by its more famous neighbour Royal Birkdale, that in no way reflects on the quality of the Hillside course.

A genuine seaside links with a rich tournament history of its own, Hillside will provide a compelling venue for this week’s field.

A course of two distinct nines, the outward half is on flatter terrain while the inward nine often draws comparisons to Ballybunion in Ireland for its daunting dunescape.

The 11th hole is one of the best known among the English links, the views from its tee high above the course offering views not only across neighbouring Birkdale (and Southport on the other side) but stretching far out to the Irish sea.

A more dramatic landscape overall than last week’s test at the Old Course, Hillside will nonetheless require many of the same skills to score well.

Unusually, rough is a feature of the course around several of the greens (which is a very different examination) but firm ground will place a premium on judgement and execution for approach shots.

Swede Marcus Kinhult prevailed at 16-under the card last time tournament golf was staged here in 2019 though weather plays such a key role in links golf scoring that history is not always a good guide.

Regardless of the winning total those in contention on Sunday will need to display a multi-dimensional game where imagination and clear strategy will be at least as important as swing planes and putting strokes.

That’s a recipe for interesting golf and after a fabulous week at St Andrews will be just the tonic for those not yet ready to head back to the brighter green pastures of normal week to week Tour golf.

Hillside Golf Club is a spectacular piece of golfing land. PHOTO: David Cannon/Getty Images.

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,750,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: It’s no surprise most of the game’s biggest stars have opted for a week off after The Open but there is still plenty of talent on display in England.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre finished a stroke behind Kinhult the last time a tournament was here (2019) and after a mid-field finish at St. Andrews will be a threat this week.

He is suited by the style of golf and while he has played a heavy schedule in recent weeks he does stand out in this field.

Fellow Scot Richie Ramsay is another who will find the examination to his liking as evidenced by his fifth-place finish in 2019.

Ramsay missed qualifying for last week’s Open which will still sting and while his golf this year has been inconsistent his recent play tends towards decent.

Given Cam Smith’s performance at the weekend many Australian golfers will have an extra pep in their step this week and there is an interesting array of Australians at Hillside.

Rod Pampling has been given a tournament invite (which might be the most unusual showing of the week) but Dimi Papadatos was on hand for Smith’s celebration and the course here should suit him.

He has two wins at the Vic Open which is a not dissimilar brand of golf and the win by his mate will have him buoyant ahead of the opening round.

72-HOLE RECORD: 260 (Brandon Stone, 2018)

18-HOLE RECORD AT HILLSIDE: 63 (Matthew Jordan, 2019)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Scott Hend, Dimi Papadatos, Jarryd Felton, Rod Pampling, Jake McLeod, and Blake Windred.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 1.30am –6.30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 1.30am – 6.30am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 1am – 6am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 6am)
*AEST, check local guides