The LPGA Down Under

Good on ya, mate! It's time for the LPGA to head down under to the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open... and that means here in the States, it's time for more prime time golf (well, sort of).



This event will be played at The Grange GC, one of the premiere Sandbelt courses in South Australia. And while Tony Jesselli's Women's Australian Open preview puts the field strength at a mere 31.50% with only 11 of the Top50 in the Rolex Rankings making the trip, many of the players there will make for an interesting event.

Some familiar names like Laura Davies, Karrie Webb and Cheyenne Woods are in the field. Defending champion Lydia Ko will be there, of course, as will Brooke Henderson, HaNa Jang, Charley Hull, Minjee Lee and -- this one is particularly interesting -- Jiyai Shin.

As most of you know, Shin left the LPGA a couple of years back so she could stay closer to her home in Korea. But the word is that she's seriously considering a return to the LPGA and, having won this event in 2013, this might be a good start if she's truly planning to come back.

But I'm going with the hot hand this week -- LPGA hot hand, that is. Although Lydia Ko defended last week in New Zealand, I like HaNa Jang's chances to go two in a row after winning the Coates a week ago.

I said that this will be 'sort of' prime time golf here in the States. GC's coverage -- which will probably be live, given the time difference -- starts at 11pm ET tonight. That's a bit late for prime time but it's a lot better than the 2am and 3am times we've had for overseas golf the last few weeks. I know I'm looking forward to it.