The formerly named Volunteers of America Classic will be played for the 10th time this week in the Longhorn state and last year awarded winner Jin Young Ko not only a trophy but a pair of boots.

Research has failed to clarify whether Ko – who had only recently bought a house in Texas at the time – was the first to receive the footwear for winning but it seems it should be a given from now on.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: She didn’t have her best stuff and had only the week before been deposed as World No.1 but Jin Young Ko wasn’t to be denied an eighth LPGA title. Seven straight pars to cap a two-under-par 69 was enough to claim the title by a shot from Matilda Castren.

Ko sadly won’t be able to defend this week because of injury but six of the world’s top-10 players are in the field and that should ensure another compelling week of golf.

RIGHT: Jin Young Ko won this event, and a new pair of boots, last year but won't defend due to injury. PHOTO: Chuck Burton/Getty Images.

COURSE: One of two courses at a high-end real estate development called The Colony near Dallas, the Old American Club is mostly free of residential views.

Built on predominantly flat land by Tripp Davis in collaboration with 1997 Open champion and native Texan Justin Leonard, the Old American is, as the name suggests, inspired by some of America’s great courses.

The other 18 hole course – The Tribute at The Colony – is a links style layout while Old American is more inland in feel.

Both courses border Lake Lewisville with the water providing a pleasing backdrop to several holes on the course.

Scoring has tended on the low side at the course despite its difficulty for the average player. Wide fairways and large greens favour the better ball striking of players at this level who more often than not find the fairways and are able to access the ‘greens within a green’ where the pins are often located.

Having said that, the course only rewards good play with high numbers easy to come by for those out of position too often.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,700,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The eye is naturally drawn to the six world top-10 players teeing up. You don’t fluke your way to that ranking so it’s expected at least some will be in the mix come Sunday.

Steph Kyriacou is part of a four strong Aussie contingent in Texas this week. PHOTO: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images.

Of the six (at the risk of sounding like a broken record) surely Lydia Ko will be the favourite.

The Kiwi has had an astoundingly good year with 11 top-10 finishes in 18 starts including a T5 last week, her fourth top-five in her last six starts.

For all that she has won only once in 2022 and will be desperate to do so again before the season ends so consider her a ‘player to watch’ every time she tees up from now till 2023 rolls around.

Of those not at the pointy end of the world rankings 2020 winner Angela Stanford has shown a liking for this venue since the tournament moved here in 2018.

She was T12 last year and while T50 in Arkansas last week was hardly inspiring, it also came on course that is a birdie fest.

Stanford was five-under for the 54 holes which is hardly poor golf and at a familiar venue she could be a danger this week.

Another with a not dissimilar record who also played well last week is Celine Boutier.

The Frenchwoman has never missed the cut at the Old America Club and her T5 result in Arkansas will have her confidence up.

She was T8 here last year and if she can continue her good form of last week is a chance to add a third LPGA Tour title to her resume.

72-HOLE RECORD: 266 (-18, Cheyenne Knight, 2019)

72-HOLE RECORD: 63 (Jin Young Ko, 2021)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this tournament.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Sarah Jane Smith, Karis Davidson, Steph Kyriacou and Su Oh.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 2.30am – 5.30am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 2.30am – 5.30am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 4am – 7am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 4am – 7am)
*AEST/AEDT, check local guides