It’s major championship week for the ladies, as a field of 144 is set to tackle what could be a brutal test at Royal Troon.

Six of the World’s Top 10 will be in action in Scotland, with Jin-Young Ko, Sung Hyun Park, Sei Young Kim and Hyo-Joo Kim all missing out due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

For those teeing it up at Royal Troon this week, they may need to prepare for wild conditions, with the weather forecast ( As of Wednesday BST ) showing plenty of wind and rain throughout the week.

Thursday and Friday look to be particularly testing days. According to Metoffice.gov.uk, Round One will see consistent winds in the region of the upper 20-mph range, with gusts as strong as 42mph. As for Friday’s round, the same is expected with rain entering the fold.

With a day to go until the championship begins, here is a look at 8 contenders to keep an eye on this week at the 2020 AIG Women’s British Open.

Danielle Kang

Cause for Optimism:

Danielle Kang has been the star of the LPGA Tour since its restart, winning back-to-back events stateside. The World Number Two is the prohibitive favorite with the bookmakers, after seemingly finally getting to grips with links golf last week at the Scottish Open where she missed out on a playoff by just a single stroke.

Great signs ahead of this week’s test at Royal Troon.

Cause for Concern:

The 27-year-old is still yet to crack the top-40 at the British Open and has missed the cut five times in just nine appearances at the event in her career.

Furthermore, with poor weather in mind, in the cold, windy and soggy conditions at the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, Kang failed to make an impression – losing three of her four matches.

Odds:  15/2

Nelly Korda

Cause for Optimism:

The younger Korda sister has turned herself into a serial winner, notching three victories in 2019 including an eight-stroke win at the Ladies French Open. Her major form is trending nicely too, with top 10 finishes in three of the last nine majors – including a T9 at this event last year.

In the tough conditions at the 2019 Solheim Cup, Korda thrived, winning 3.5 points from a possible 4. 

Cause for Concern:

The Florida native hasn’t been at her very best since the restart, with T40 and T38 finishes on the LPGA Tour in her two starts back. Still waiting to land her maiden major, Korda has been stressing the importance of patience on her social media accounts lately – a virtue she will need in spades this week.

Odds: 25/1

Minjee Lee

Cause for Optimism: 

Minjee Lee has played five times in 2020 and has yet to finish worse than T25. The consistent Australian has finished inside the top 25 in four of her last five visits to the British Open, and last week warmed up nicely in Scotland with an encouraging T16 finish.

Cause for Concern: 

The 24-year-old’s major record is a little underwhelming for the World Ranked Number 8, who hasn’t had a top 5 finish at one of the five biggest championships since 2017. 

Odds: 10/1

Celine Boutier

Cause for Optimism:

The Frenchwoman is in good form heading into the year’s opening major, with a runner-up finish at the Drive On Championship and a T18 finish at last week’s Scottish Open. Boutier finished sixth at last year’s British Open (not links) but won the Women’s Amateur at Portstewart in 2015 – proving her links golf capabilities. 

At the 2019 Solheim Cup, Boutier won all four of her matches, showing testing conditions are unlikely to faze her.

Cause for Concern:

Her 2019 Vic Open win remains her only LPGA Tour triumph to date, and at last year’s U.S. Open, Boutier held the joint 54 hole lead before coming unstuck on Sunday with a round of 75.

Odds: 33/1

Inbee Park

Cause for Optimism:

Steady, unflappable and a supreme ball striker – all attributes Park possesses. Won the Australian Open on her last appearance, and is a former winner of this event. She has also finished in the top 10 at the British Open in five of her previous nine visits.

Cause for Concern:

Unfortunately, that win in Australia occurred back in January and Park comes into this event cold. Also, her recent form at the British Open is poor, missing the cut both in 2018 and 2019.

Odds: 20/1

Lydia Ko

Cause for Optimism:

Lydia Ko is on the brink of being back. T28, T2, and T12 finishes since the restart show her game is in a good place.

The multiple major champ has a mixed record at the British Open, but her 2018 and 2015 showings (where she finished T11 and T3, respectively) prove that when she’s hitting it well like she is at the moment, she is likely to contend.

Cause for Concern:

As consistent as T28, T2 and T12 finishes sound, they should have been so much better. The Kiwi blew a five-stroke lead on the back nine on Sunday at the Marathon Classic, and last Sunday at the Scottish Open she started the day in a tie for fourth before stumbling home with a 74.

Can she hold it together this Sunday if she’s in with a chance?

Odds: 25/1

Brooke Henderson

Cause for Optimism:

Brooke Henderson is capable of winning anywhere, with six wins on the LPGA Tour since 2017. The Canadian also hasn’t missed a cut on Tour since May 2019.

Already the most winningest Canadian in golf history, Henderson was second in birdie average last year, and third in scoring average (which would be first in this week’s field).

Cause for Concern:

The main issue here is that Henderson, like Park, hasn’t played much. In fact, she has just two appearances in 2020, both coming back at the beginning of the year.

Also, her record at the British Open is distinctly average – cracking the top 40 just once in five appearances. 

Odds: 20/1

Charley Hull

Cause for Optimism:

A win in the Rose Series followed by a solid warmup last week in Scotland where she finished T22; Hull should like her chances more than most if the conditions get wild at Troon.

The 24-year-old went unbeaten at the 2019 Solheim Cup and has three top 25 finishes from her last six starts at the British Open.

Cause for Concern:

Always on the periphery at the majors, Hull just can’t seem to forge her way into contention. Still awaiting her first top 10 finish at the British Open. 

Odds: 40/1