Lee spearheads Open tilt for Aussies

Minjee Lee can jump to the top of the world ranking with the right result this week in South Carolina.

If it's true you have to hit the best to be the best, Minjee Lee has her chance this week.

Perth & # 39; s Lee, world number 2, has signed the large group along with Korean superstars Jin Young Ko and Inbee Park for the first two rounds of the US Women's Open this week

The trio, all claiming to be the best player in the world, headline a beautiful field that will contain seven Australian women who will follow the layout of the Country Club of Charleston in South Carolina.

But the focus will be on Lee, who this week can afford Ko at the top of the world ranking with victory at the top event on the LPGA Tour schedule.

Lee plays the 10th tee on Thursday at 7.44 a.m. (local time), before starting her second round at 1.29 p.m. (local time) for the first tee.

Victorian amateur Gabi Ruffels makes her big championship debut in a two-ball alongside Thailand's Saranporn Langkulgasettrin from the 10th tee at 8.50 a.m.

The other four Aussies in the field are gone on the first day, with Hannah Green off at 1.07 am, Sarah Kemp at 1.18 pm, Karrie Webb at 1.29 am – alongside Laura Davies and Leona Maguire – and two others together with Su Oh and Katherine Kirk grouped with Korean Mirim Lee at 2:02 PM.

Fox Sports will cover the tournament all four days, starting on Channel 506 from 4.30 am (AET) every morning for the first three rounds and then 4 am (AET) on Monday for the final round.