Wednesday Preview - ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open

The first leg of the pacific tournaments on the LPGA Tour begins this week as the ladies head to Melbourne, Australia for the ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open.

Course: Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The golf course changes every year, and this is clearly the toughest course in the rotation. Expect single digits under par as the winning score. Pars are good on most holes.

Strength Of Field: C-. A lot of players have decided to sit this one out, but it doesn't get a lower ratings for two reasons. 1) Lydia Ko is playing, and 2) players from the LET and AGT get to tee it up. Still waiting for Hyo Joo Kim's LPGA debut.

Extra Tidbits: Defending champion Karrie Webb won this tournament five times, but never on this golf course...Royal Melbourne has hosted the Australian Open, the World Cup, and the Presidents Cup...With Inbee Park and Stacy Lewis both sitting this week out, Lydia Ko will have the opportunity to extend her lead in the Rolex Rankings.

Fantasy Four:

Lydia Ko - There hasn't been a tournament Lydia has played in as a professional where she was more of a favorite to win than this one. Being the favorite doesn't necessarily mean you will win, but it would be foolish to leave Ko off the team. 

Karrie Webb - Five time and defending champion. If anyone has the experience to conquer Royal Melbourne, it's Webb. She has not played great golf lately, but her recent results should be thrown out the window when the Australian Open is played.

Ariya Jutanugarn - Proved two weeks ago that she has the game to contend in tournaments on the LPGA Tour. Should perform well during the Pacific Swing. If she can get some of her shots under control, she has the touch around the greens to not be intimidated by this course.

So Yeon Ryu - Perhaps the best player in the field not named Lydia. Has been under the radar lately despite being a top 10 machine. Should be part of the conversation on Sunday, but the question will be whether she can walk away with the trophy.

(SLEEPER) Su-Hyun Oh - Won last week in Australia in only her second start as a professional. Finished second the week prior. Has played her amateur golf in Australia, and will have plenty of fans cheering her on.