- By Andrew Frackowski, Our Sporting Life SA

There were six first-time winners on the LPGA Tour last year, featuring a few "big names" such as Jeongeun Lee6 and Australia's own Hannah Green.

But if there's a name you could consider a hot tip for that list in 2020, it's American Brittany Altomare.

The 29-year-old, already a Solheim Cup representative, was in elite company last year in finishing 19th on the scoring averages at 70.36 strokes per round.

But it was in the final 15 events of her 2019 campaign that Altomare really began to make her mark.

Altomare recorded five top-10 finishes and in that span her scoring average plummeted to 69.15 behind world No.1 and former ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open champion Jin Young Ko's mark of 68.55.

So beside the numbers, why the comparison to Ko?

Well, Altomare and Ko were the only two players inside the world top 60 who made every cut for the LPGA Tour season - elite company by any measure.

Altomare confirmed to Our Sporting Life SA recently that she will return to Royal Adelaide next month and should be confident with two runner-up finishes along with a third, fifth and tie for ninth last year, indicating that elusive win is close.

And if comfort is a factor, don't be surprised if it happens at Royal Adelaide from 13-16 February.

"I've always loved going to Adelaide, I love the people, fans and food," Altomare said.

"We always seem to find some really good spots to eat for breakfast and dinner. The courses we play too are really great, they are always in great shape and are a good test of golf."

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