After a brilliant week of golf at the Wilshire Country Club last week, the Tour moves to Palos Verdes this week for the final leg of a two week LA swing and the course promises something special.

Designed by the famed duo of William Bell and George Thomas (yes, of Riviera, Bel Air CC etc) the Palos Verdes course has long been a venue of a prestigious college golf event and several in this week’s field have played it multiple times.

The Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge has been on the college golf schedule for 25 years and includes among its winners Solheim Cup star Leona Maguire.

While seven of the world’s top-10 players will be in the field there will also be plenty of attention on Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Anna Davies who has been extended an invite.

The left handed teenager has vowed to wear her signature bucket hat all week after becoming somewhat of a cult hero for the apparel choice during her win the week before the Masters.

RIGHT: World No.1 Jin Young Ko had a rare off weekend last week at Wilshire, and it will be interesting to see how she bounces back here. PHOTO: Harry How/Getty Images.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Inaugural event.

COURSE: There will be much anticipation among the architecture crowd at the prospect of seeing an otherwise little known work of one of the most respected design teams of the Golden Era.

Bell and Thomas were responsible for the revered Riviera and Bel Air courses, among others, but Palos Verdes has not had near the exposure of their other work.

A 2013 renovation appears to have met with almost universal approval with major works undertaken in bunkers and greens and tree management program.

Coastal views from several holes feature prominently in almost all reviews of the course, but the golf elements also get the thumbs up.

Short grass around greens and smallish though well contoured putting surfaces will put a premium on both accuracy and short game this week which should provide for some compelling golf.

In terms of scoring the course will play to a par-71 from a scorecard yardage of just over 5,700 metres which, on paper, would suggest low numbers.

However, images and course reviews point to defences other than length being in play which should add to the intrigue of the test.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,500,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: A remarkably strong field has made the trek to Palos Verdes with several of last week’s top-10 backing up.

The usual Jin Young Ko caveat applies again (despite her very out of character play on the weekend at Wilshire) but picking a winner will be no easy task.

The course this week will provide plenty of intrigue. PHOTO: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Orthopaedic Institute for Children.

Hannah Green played in the final group last week and while Nasa Hataoka was too strong Sunday the West Australian has the look of a player determined to win and win soon.

Green’s mindset when she left Australia in March would best be described as ‘determined’ and three top-10 finishes in six starts in the U.S. suggest she is doing something right.

Last week’s runner-up result was her best of the season to date but it would be no surprise if she were to go one better this week.

One spot behind and looking equally determined is fellow west Australian Minjee Lee who was ‘disappointed’ with her third place finish last week.

For the past three years she has been among the Tour’ most consistent performers and is a danger every time she tees up, including this week.

Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park, Danielle Kang and Atthaya Thitikul round out the world top-10 players in the field and none can be discounted.

However, it is a former winner at the course when in college who will be the danger player this week, Leona Maguire.

While already a winner this season, the Irish player has been less than impressive on her other seven starts with not a single top-10 and a missed cut last week.

Having the weekend off at Wilshire will be just the motivation she needs to get back to her best and familiar surrounds will be the catalyst for win number two in 2022.

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

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 8am –11am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 8am –11am)
*AEST, check local guides