Defending champ Hannah Green headlines a stacked field at Pine Beach—but it’s the hungry ones you should watch.

Hannah Green isn’t just defending her title at the BMW Ladies Championship—she’s defending Australia’s chokehold on this tournament. After Minjee Lee won in 2023, Green took the crown last year at Seowon Valley, leading wire-to-wire and holding off Celine Boutier by a single stroke. That’s three straight years an Aussie has lifted the trophy. Green’s coming in hot with three LPGA wins this season already, and she knows this event inside out. But here’s the thing about defending champions: everyone’s got their number circled.

The Lee Sisters (Sort Of)

Minjee Lee sits at world No. 4 and leads the LPGA money list this year. She already bagged a major in 2025 and just finished solo third in Shanghai last week. The 2023 champ at this event, Lee’s ball-striking numbers are absurd—68.6% driving accuracy and 73% greens in regulation. On a links-style track like Pine Beach, that’s the recipe. But don’t sleep on Korea’s own Jeemin Lee, who’s been quietly building momentum all season. When you’re playing in your home country with 50,000+ fans screaming your name, funny things happen to golf balls.

The Rookie Everyone’s Talking About

Lottie Woad turned pro this year and immediately won the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open in her debut. She’s 21, English, and plays with the kind of fearlessness that only comes from not knowing you’re supposed to be nervous yet. Woad won the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, rocketed to world No. 1 in the amateur rankings, and now she’s making her BMW Ladies Championship debut. The oddsmakers have her at 9-1 or 12-1 depending where you look. That’s not rookie treatment—that’s respect.

Home Cooking

Hyo Joo Kim is South Korea’s best hope for ending the Aussie streak. Former world No. 1, three-time LPGA winner including a victory at the Tournament of Champions this season, and she’s been sneaky consistent lately with back-to-back top-10s. Kim bombs it off the tee (7th on tour in driving distance) and ranks 6th tee-to-green. Playing in front of your people on a windy links course when you hit it long and straight? That’s dangerous. Also keep an eye on Jin Young Ko, the 2021 champion who’s been quiet this year but has that championship pedigree.

The New Kids on the Block (Course)

Pine Beach Golf Links makes its debut as host this week, and if you’ve seen photos, you understand why it’s nicknamed “Korea’s Pebble Beach.” Perched on plateaus overlooking the Yellow Sea, it’s a 6,785-yard par 72 that starts in the trees and finishes on dramatic clifftops. The course opened in 2009, designed by Gary Roger Baird and David Dale, and it’s considered one of South Korea’s finest. Players will face four par 3s ranging from 138 to 198 yards, ten par 4s, and four meaty par 5s stretching up to 557 yards. Wind, rocks, ocean views, and no cut—all 78 players go four rounds.