DEFENDING CHAMPION: A former Women’s British Open winner and World No. 1, Stacy Lewis prevailed in a four-way play-off for the title at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick last year.

Lewis (pictured right) made a lengthy birdie putt at the first extra hole to beat Emily Kristine Pedersen, Cheyenne Knight and Azahara Munoz for her first victory since the birth of daughter Chesnee in 2018.

COURSE: Dumbarnie Links opened a year ago and has attracted strong reviews from all who have visited.

Designed by former European Tour player Clive Clark as a high end, daily fee course, many are keen to see how it holds up to a field of the best female players in the world. The course is located in Fife, home to the Old Course at St Andrews and some of the best known links layouts in the world.

Aimed squarely at the overseas tourist market, Dumbarnie has been built to look, feel and play like one of the historic links of Scotland.

All reports suggest that goal has been achieved with wide, wrinkled fairways, sod faced bunkers and run offs around the greens seeing it fit right in.

It will be a style of golf unfamiliar to many in the field and should provide for an entertaining week’s golf.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,500,000

72-HOLE SCORING RECORD: 264, Mi Jung Hur (2019).

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With the Women’s British Open at Carnoustie next week it is no surprise to find many of the world’s top ranked players making the journey to Scotland to acclimatise.

While the top seven ranked players in the world – including Olympic Gold medal winner and World No.1 Nelly Korda – have decided not to tee up, the field is strong.

Evian Championship winner Minjee Lee, the World No.8, is the highest ranked player in the field and in her fifth appearance likely fancies her chances this week.

A best of runner-up at Gullane Golf Club in 2018 suggests she can adapt to the different style of golf required in this part of the world and assuming fatigue isn’t an issue after a hectic three weeks, she could be a factor come Sunday.

Minjee Lee is the highest ranked player in the field this week. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Another Australian, Stephanie Kyriacou, will also be worth watching as she has continued her outstanding Ladies European Tour form of last year to be second on their Order of Merit.

Already a two-time winner on the LET, Kyriacou has the hallmarks of a player destined for the LPGA and in that regard this week represents a big opportunity.

However, this field is a clear step up in class from the European circuit with the likes of major winners such as In Gee Chun, Georgia Hall, Ariya Jutanugarn and Patty Tavatanakit all teeing up.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Rebecca Artis (2015).

AUSSIES IN THE FIELD: Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, Su Oh, Katherine Kirk, Stephanie Kyriacou, Whitney Hillier.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 9pm- 1am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 9pm – 1am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 9pm – 1am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 9pm – 1am)

*AEST, check local guides