South Korea’s Sei Young Kim is set to defend the title she won brilliantly at Aronimink last October, but there will be much attention on her compatriot, three-time champion Inbee Park, chasing her eighth major title in an event due to conclude on Sunday (June 27) and which has a total prize purse of $4.3 million (£3.1 million/€3.6 million).

It has attracted entries from 99 of the top 100 players on the LPGA’s 2021 money list.

Another South Korean, world number one Jin Young Ko, will also be expected to be among the contenders as she chases her first major title since winning the Evian Championship in 2019.

The biggest threat to the South Korean battalion could come from the Philippines new US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso, whose performance at Olympic Club in San Francisco earlier this month with her powerful swing attracting plenty of admirers.

The teenager beat Japan’s Nasa Hataoka on the third hole of a sudden death round after they both tied on four under par.

Likewise, ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanaki, the 21-year-old from Thailand, is considered another up-and-coming youngster who has the potential to dominate the sport in the years ahead.

The home challenge could be spearheaded by Lexi Thompson, winner of her only major at the ANA Inspiration in 2014 when she was only 19.

She produced her best performance in a major for six years when she finished third at the US Open, although that was tinged with disappointment when she missed a putt on the 18th that would have got her in the playoff too.

There is much excitement surrounding the prospects of Nelly Korda, who on Sunday (June 20) won the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club in Michigan.

Born and bred in Florida, the 22-year-old is the daughter of retired Czech professional tennis players Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtová.

Her father is a tennis grand slam champion who won the 1998 Australian Open crown. 

China’s Shanshan Feng, who tied for fourth at the US Open, and Canada’s 2016 Women's PGA champion Brooke Henderson are also expected to be among the contenders at the course in Johns Creek in Georgia which staged the men’s PGA Championship in 1981, 2001 and 2011.

Among the European contenders, Ireland’s Leona Maguire could be the strongest challenger after pushing Korda all the way at Meijer LPGA Classic. 

Of the others, England’s Mel Reid enjoyed a strong start to her US Open before fading to finish 46th so will be hoping for more consistency.

Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and England’s Georgia Hall and Charley Hull recorded positive finishes at the weekend, providing a boost to European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew.