Leading Australian Open women's contenders

LEADING WOMEN'S CONTENDERS AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS STARTING AT KINGSTON HEATH AND VICTORIA GOLF CLUBS ON THURSDAY:

HANNAH GREEN (AUS)Age: 27Ranking: 6Highest ranking: 5Professional wins: 13Best Australian Open finish: 3rd 2018, 2022Best major finish: 2019 Women's PGA Championship championThe West Australian looms as the player to beat after producing a spectacular three-title season on the LPGA Tour and crashing into the world's top 10 for the first time.MINJEE LEE (AUS)Age: 28Ranking: 17Highest ranking: 2Professional wins: 14Best Australian Open finish: 2nd 2023Best major finish: 2022 US Women's Open champion, 2021 Evian Championship championThe dual major winner has endured an uncharacteristic winless season to date but is a perennial contender in pursuit of a maiden national championship, as evident by last year's runner-up showing.STEPH KYRIACOU (AUS)Age: 24Ranking: 55Highest ranking: 47Professional wins: 2Best Australian Open finish: T5th 2023Best major finish: 2024 Evian Championship runner-upThe former European tour rookie of the year continues to rise the international ranks, going within a whisker of claiming a major title in 2024 and also notching a career-best ranking.ASHLEIGH BUHAI (RSA)Age: 35Ranking: 59Professional wins: 22Best Australian Open finish: champion 2022, 2023Best major finish: 2022 Women's British Open championNo two-time defending champ can ever be dismissed, especially after fighting back from a freakish broken toe to carve out another strong LPGA Tour season with two top-six finishes from her past six starts.GRACE KIM (AUS)Age: 23Ranking: 82Highest ranking: 57Professional wins: 6Best Australian Open finish: 4th 2022Best major finish: T13th 2023 US OpenThe former amateur sensation has well and truly established herself in the pro ranks with an LPGA Tour victory, another cruel near miss and top-eight finishes at the past two Australian Opens.