Ko, who discovered earlier this week that winning the McCormack Medal has secured a place in the U.S. Women's Open, tied for 12th at last year's ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open and finished as the leading amateur, 13 strokes behind the winner, Tseng. Titleist Men's Vokey SM4 Wedge - Black Nickel Finish


Meanwhile Lexi Thompson, who turns 17 this week, will continue her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour and start her LPGA Tour campaign in the tri-sanctioned event with the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Tour.

Thompson became the youngest winner in LPGA history at the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic last September. It was one of two wins worldwide for the 16-year-old last year. She also became the second youngest player after Amy Yang to win Titleist Men's Vokey SM4 Wedge - Black Nickel Finish on the Ladies European Tour (LET) when she closed out her 2011 season with a victory at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in December.

The ladies will face quite a test this week when they get a rare opportunity to tee it up on the renowned Royal Melbourne Composite course. The Composite course is made up of 12 holes from the West Course and six from the East, contained within the more compact clubhouse precinct of the property. The Composite is considered one of the world's ten best courses and has hosted many important events, including the Presidents Cups of 1998 and 2011, but never a women's event, either professional or amateur.

The course used for the Women's Australian Open will differ from the Presidents Cup by only one hole - the 16th (4th East) - as it resumes its regular place in the Composite.