View full tee times for Thursday
The depth of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open field has been underscored in the release of tee times for Thursday’s opening round.
World No.1 Lydia Ko has been paired with world No.6 Ha Na Jang and world No.8 Brooke Henderson will play as a threesome, starting at 7.44am off the 10th tee at The Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
In other marquee groups out in the morning field, five-time champion Karrie Webb will play alongside American major champion Mo Martin and Swede Pernilla Lindberg at 7.55am, also off the 10th tee.
Off the first tee at the same time are former world No.1s and dual Australian champs Laura Davies and Yani Tseng alongside impressive Japanese star Sakura Yokomine.
And the afternoon groups are equally as appealing for the expected large galleries.
World No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn will play with defending champion and world No.21 Haru Nomura and English world No.15 Charley Hull off the first tee at 12.34pm.
The following group, out at 12.45pm, features Australian No.1 Minjee Lee, Colombian ace Mariajo Uribe and American Angela Stanford.
Another drawcard is the 12.12pm three-ball of Michelle Wie and her rising American compatriots Angel Yin and Mariah Stackhouse, while the galleries are sure to warm to a match off the 10th tee at 12.45pm with Aussies Sarah Kemp and Rebecca Artis grouped with likeable American Kim Kaufman.
Tournament director Trevor Herden said the co-sanctioned LPGA Tour field was “exciting” for spectators and TV audiences alike.
“There’s a mixture of the world’s best talent in both morning and afternoon fields – a real credit to the quality of the field at Royal Adelaide,” Herden said.
“Fans are effectively guaranteed world-class golf throughout the day with great groups off at 7am and play expected to finish about 6.30pm.
“If you can be here for the whole day, that’s almost 12 hours of what should be great golf on one of Australia’s premier tournament courses.”