From a site in Hawaii chosen just a month before the tournament to a venue which in four short years has established itself firmly on the rota, the LPGA moves to California this week for the LA Open.
Officially named the DIO Implant LA Open, the tournament has fast become a fan and player favourite thanks in large part to the host venue, Wilshire Country Club.
With the famous ‘Hollywood’ sign clearly visible from many parts of the course, the club is home to its fair share of celebrity TV and film industry types, some of whom will be out following the action this week.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: It is not yet clear if Brooke Henderson will defend her title in LA after withdrawing from last week’s Lotte Championship in Hawaii.
The Canadian star cited illness following an opening round 74 at the Hoakalei Country Club but news of whether she will tee up at Wilshire has not yet been forthcoming.
Henderson claimed her 10th LPGA title here last year with a dramatic, come from behind victory courtesy of a final round 67.
RIGHT: Brooke Henderson claimed the title last year, but whether she tees it up this week remains to be seen after illness last week. PHOTO: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.
She started Sunday four shots behind leader Jessica Korda, but the American could only manage a final round of one-over-par to finish second by a shot.
COURSE: While the field is strong the course will be one of the stars of the show this week, Wilshire Country Club proving a hit with fans and players since joining the LPGA rota in 2018.
Host of the men’s LA Open four times between 1928 and 1944, the club is one of the oldest in the Hollywood area though less well known than some of its famous neighbours like Riviera.
Built in 1919 by little known architect Norman Macbeth, the course was widely regarded as one of the best in the state featuring wide fairways and plentiful short grass.
However, by 2008 trees and shrubs had changed its character from an expansive playground to one of restrictive golf.
A dramatic restoration was in order and highly regarded architect Kyle Phillips was brought in to do the work.
The result has been universally applauded and the chance to watch the best women players in the world attack the course this week will once again be a treat.
Visually stunning and making heavy use of a barranca running through the entire property, the course requires both imagination and execution from the players and always makes for interesting golf.
RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week
PRIZEMONEY: US$2,000,000
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Six of the world’s top-10 will tee up this week including World No.1 Jin Young Ko and World No.5 and 2019 champion Minjee Lee.
Both of those players will draw attention this week though Ko will be of particular interest having never finished outside the top-five here.
Playing some extraordinary golf over the past 12 months, Ko is among the favourites every time she plays but her record here suggests that mantle is particularly well deserved this week.
Having played all three instalments of the tournament, her resume reads: third last year, T2 in 2018 and T5 in 2019.
Given she has been the best golfer in the game, man or woman, this past year it is hard not to pick her but with such a strong field she obviously won’t have it all her own way.
Lee’s record is decent also, a T7 and T32 sitting alongside her 2019 win and her play this year steady if unspectacular.
On a familiar course she will be dangerous this week, as will fellow Australian Hannah Green who shared third alongside Ko last year.
There is a bit of Australian flavour at Wilshire and Green clearly felt at home in 2021, her final round 66 the equal best score of the day and a memory which will be front and centre come Thursday.
Also feeling at home will be Steph Kyriacou who plays her third event as a full member of the LPGA.
The Sydneysider has made the cut in her first two tournaments and it won’t be a surprise to see her contend this year or even this week.
72-HOLE RECORD: 268 (-16, Brooke Henderson, 2021)
18-HOLE RECORD: 64 (Megan Khang and Amy Yang, 2019)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Minjee Lee (2019)
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Hannah Green, Steph Kyriacou, Minjee Lee, Katherine Kirk and Su Oh.
TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 8.30am –11.30am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 8.30am –11.30am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 8.30am –11.30am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 8.30am –11.30am)
*AEST, check local guides
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