Wednesday 13 May 2015 18:34, UK
Lydia Ko and Inbee Park will resume their battle for top spot in the world rankings when the pair both feature in this week's LPGA Kingsmill Championship.
The world’s two highest ranked players tee-off alongside one another for the first two rounds, with LOTTE Championship winner Sei Young Kim completing the star-studded group for an event where nine of the world’s top 10 are in action.
Park heads to the Kingsmill Resort off the back of a convincing win at the recent North Texas Shootout, an event where Ko struggled to make the cut on her way to a tied-41st finish.
A similar result at this week’s £1.3million tournament would be enough for Park to further close the gap on the New Zealander’s stint as world No 1, while three-time Kingsmill winner Cristie Kerr heads to Williamsburg looking for an 18th LPGA Tour title.
"I think the great thing about this course is that it doesn't particularly suit one type of player," Ko said. "It's got some good wedge like short iron holes and then you got some hybrid holes.
"Because you are No 1, people expect you to win every single week or be top 5 every single week. There is a little bit more pressure, but I'm trying to not think about the rankings because it really comes after the result of the tournaments."
British interest will be pinned on last year's Ladies European Tour Order of Merit winner Charley Hull, who has already posted four top-10 finishes this season, with Lizette Salas returning to the venue where she claimed her maiden victory last season.
“When I’m walking around Kingsmill, I’m walking with my head a little higher and I’m much happier,” Salas said. “It’s a special feeling.
“My strategy last year was just finding fairways and greens and trying to roll in as many putts as possible, really minimizing the mistakes.
“I’m going on an upward motion. I’m doing the right things and have the right team around me, so I’m just trying to be stress free out on the golf course and play the game I know how to.”
