Field Breakdown - ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open

She’s Baaaack

Lydia Ko makes her first start of the 2017 season this week at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. While she hasn’t played competitively since November, it’s been an active off-season for the world No.1. Ko split with her caddie during the 2016 Asia swing, then parted with her instructor David Leadbetter in November and made a switch from Callaway to PXG Golf during the off-season. Ko announced last week that she will now be working with instructor Gary Gilchrist, who also coaches world No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn, who is also in the field this week. Jutanugarn made her season debut in the Bahamas where she finished T-47. World No.6 Ha Na Jang is also making her 2017 debut this week. Jang broke through for her first victory last season and quickly added two more before the year’s end. World No.8 Brooke Henderson rounds out the top-10 in the Rolex Rankings who are in the field this week in Australia.

Looking to Repeat

Last year, Haru Nomura broke through in Australia for her first career win on the LPGA Tour. Nomura was one of three players who shared the 54-hole lead. But Nomura carded a final round 65 to win by two-strokes and hold off a final round charge from Lydia Ko and Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, who finished third. The victory gave Nomura a boost of confidence as she went on to win her second victory on the LPGA Tour in April at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic and posted four more top-10s in 2016.

Hello, 2017

More than two-dozen of the world’s best players make their 2017 debut this week. Rookie Aditi Ashok and Mariah Stackhouse make their first starts on Tour as members of the LPGA Tour. Ashok made a splash last season with back-to-back wins on the Ladies European Tour, which earned her Rookie of the Year honors on the LET. Although Stackhouse is new to the Tour, she knows what it takes to win. The rookie was a member of Stanford’s 2015 NCAA Championship team as well as the victorious 2014 U.S. Curtis Cup Team. Danielle Kang is making her return to the Tour and looking to make her own fresh start. The 2012 rookie underwent eye surgery during the off-season and starts the New Year with a clean bill of health after coping with multiple injuries in 2016. Kang held a share of the 54-hole lead in Australia last season.

Other players making their 2017 debut this week include the LET’s Beth Allen who earned her card for 2017. Veteran Christina Kim also makes her first start of the year, as well as Caroline Masson, Catriona Matthew, Azahara Munoz, Jenny Shin and more.

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Australia’s own Minjee Lee, Su Oh and Karrie Webb make their 2017 debut at home this week. At No.17 in the world, Lee is the highest ranked Australian in the field this week after winning twice on Tour in 2016. Lee and Oh also represented Australia during the 2016 Olympic games in Rio. Webb is a five-time winner of this event, who hasn’t missed a playing since 1994 when she made her debut as a 19-year-old. Webb is making her 21^st start this year. She finished third in this event last season.