Although without the history of the 150th Open being played at St. Andrews, the premier circuit in the women’s game does not lack intrigue this week with the third staging of its teams event, the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

Played in a mix of foursomes and fourball over the four days, scoring is inevitably low at this event where the chance to see something different to the standard strokeplay is a plus, let alone the dynamic of the pairings.

Among those pairings this week are two sister combinations each with a major winner in the Kordas and Jutanugarns, while our own legend Karrie Webb returns to action with American Marina Alex by her side.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: Thai superstar sisters Ariya & Moriya Jutanugarn claimed the title together in 2021.

The pair finished at 24-under-par after 72 holes, with two rounds of 59 in the best ball format to their credit on the second and final day. The Jutanugarns defeating the defending champion duo of American Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura from Thailand by three shots.

RIGHT: Karrie Webb makes a rare LPGA Tour start this week. PHOTO: Omar Rawlings/Getty Images.

COURSE: Opened for play in 1928, Midland Country Club is now a familiar site for the LPGA Tour and this event that is into its third year after the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The culmination of work by W. Bruce Matthews, Jerry Matthews and Schreiner Golf over the years, Midland plays to a par of 70 each year when the best players in the world visit and measures 6,256 yards.

Offering plenty of scoring opportunities to players at this level, the Michigan venue is certainly not the sternest test these golfers face all year, with driving accuracy a key to success around the layout featuring a smattering of bunkers.

Water only really comes into play on two holes, the short par-4 5th fronted by a pond that forces a decision from players as to whether they will challenge the green or layback, while the par-3 last owns an island green that creates excitement with the tournament or a good score on the line.

RELATED: So-called expert glf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$2,500,000

TEAMS TO WATCH: The inaugural winners of this event and runners-up last year, Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura clearly make for a good combination that will fancy their chances again this week.

Neither has much in the way of form to show so far this year, but returning to a comfortable venue and format that has yielded such positive results in the past will surely have them ready to go come the Wednesday start.

Playing with your sibling in an event like this must be a special feeling, when you are both among the top players in the world that must be amplified significantly.

That is the situation for Nelly and Jessica Korda who are again among the favourites to take out the title this week.

The defending champion Jutanugarn sisters are among the teams to watch this week despite little in the way of lead in form. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images.

The pair of Australian Open champions have finished in the top-20 in both previous starts at this event, and arrive in good form.

Nelly has shown no signs of slowing down her great play from the past 18 months after an extended hiatus from the game following the discovery of a blood clot in her arm, while Jessica was T10 at the KPMG Women’s PGA, her second straight top-10 finish.

Both exceptional ball strikers, the format this week suits the pair perfectly and their familiarity with each other’s game is an advantage.

In the same boat, the defending champions, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn know how to play good golf alongside one another.

Neither sister has had their best stuff so far in 2022, but returning to the site of their impressive victory will provide a boost for the pair who have the advantage of playing quite different games.

Karrie Webb doesn’t play much competitive golf these days, but when she has appeared this year has shown some positive signs. And she has a great partner in Marina Alex who won earlier this year and was T6 two starts back.

Webb also took a bottle of red off Cam Smith at home in Florida the other day, so she has clearly been working at her game.

72-HOLE RECORD: 253 (Cydney Clanton & Jasmine Suwannapura, 2019)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No previous Australian winner.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Katherine Kirk (with Amy Olson), Karrie Webb (with Marina Alex), Sarah Jane Smith (with Mariajo Uribe), Sarah Kemp (with Alena Sharp).

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 6am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 6am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
*AEST, check local guides