DEFENDING CHAMPION: Due to travel restrictions and the cancellation of the LPGA’s Asian swing, the LPGA Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee marks the second inaugural event under the Drive On Championship name.

COURSE: Located between Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia, Reynolds Lake Oconee is the home to six golf courses. The Jack Nicklaus-designed Great Waters is set to host the LPGA Tour for the first time this week.

Opened for play in 1992 and redesigned by the 18-time major champion in 2019, the layout will measure 6,852 yards this week, with the waters of picturesque Lake Oconee in play or view on each of the final eight holes of the routing.

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,300,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

The winner of the first LPGA Drive On Championship in July and the very next event, Danielle Kang emerged from the Tour’s hiatus as the player to watch. Since recording back-to-back victories however, the American hasn’t quite found the same form in bigger events.

Among the best ball strikers in the women’s game, a new venue where precision is rewarded means that one would expect Kang to find herself in the hunt again this week and her recent break after one of the busier schedules since returning to tournament golf could be the key to rediscovering her winning ways.

RIGHT: Jennifer Kupcho arrives fresh off a major top-10 and has previous success in the state of Georgia. PHOTO: Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

Ariya Jutanugarn waited until the LPGA headed to Europe to make her return to Tour life, and outside of a share of 11th at the ANA Inspiration it has been a fairly uninspiring comeback for the former World No.1.

Some tournament rust was to be expected and a solid four-round performance in her last start at the Women’s PGA suggests the Thai superstar could be close to finding her best golf once again.

Jennifer Kupcho will surely receive a confidence boost as she returns to Georgia just over an hour away from her historic 2019 triumph at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur and when combined with her recent form, could be the ticket to clinch her maiden professional win.

Kupcho recorded a T7 at the Women’s PGA in her last start that came on the back of a runner-up.

72-HOLE RECORD: Inaugural event.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Hannah Green, Sarah Kemp, Katherine Kirk, Minjee Lee, Su Oh and Sarah Jane Smith.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 7am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 7am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 7am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 7am)
*AEDT, check local guides