Attention shoppers! If you’re looking to buy a winning weekend wager, then take a moment and read through this preview for the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.
The LPGA’s annual trip to Galloway, N.J., still represents one of the longest-standing traditions on the Tour: a 54-hole shootout. And quite frankly, it couldn’t come at a better time. One extra day of rest for those who competed in the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally is a very welcome opportunity for recovery.
The Seaview Resort is the tournament’s host and features two classic courses. Designed during the golden age of golf architecture, the William Flynn Pines Course extends inland, while the Donald Ross Bay Course runs from the hotel’s front porch out to the shore.
Ross’s design is a par-71 that runs along the shoreline and has a scorecard that measures 6,197 yards, but the shortest course on Tour doesn’t always reflect easy scoring. Fortunately, after a very difficult week in Pennsylvania, the weather will give them a break. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 80s and moderate winds under 15mph. There is a chance of rain, but conditions should be wonderful for scoring.
This is a three-day shoot-out with an average winning score over the past decade of 14 under. Fire 5-under per day and you’ll most likely be holding that trophy on Sunday. The scoring will start fast on Friday so look at favoring Yan Liu (+9000), Brooke Henderson (+1600) and the favorite Atthaya Thitikul (+800) when it comes to making birdies in bunches.
The best way to score is on the par 5s, and the set of three at this venue only average 490 yards in length. One year ago, 2023 winner Ashleigh Buhai was 7-under on the par 5s alone. In 2022, Brooke Henderson played the three of them at 4-under in the final round to ultimately take home the victory. When looking at the best par-5 players in the field, 79th U.S. Women’s Open winner Yuka Saso (+1800) was ranked the highest on tour. But any mental fatigue that might be lingering after that historic victory steers us clear of her at Seaview. However, Jenny Shin (+3500), Jin Hee Im (+2200) and Ayaka Furue (+1200) can no doubt score on the par 5s as well.
We successfully predicted the last two winners of the ShopRite LPGA Classic before the event began, and Henderson and Buhai brought a nice return on investment. The top consideration in selecting them was approach play. The greens aren’t super small here at 6,000 square feet on average, but when you are always attacking with a wedge in hand, proximity counts. The best iron players hit it close and convert. Albane Valenzuela (+4500) is the best approach player in the field statistically and is coming off a sixth and a fourth in her last two ShopRite LPGA Classic starts.
Others to consider in this three-day proximity contest are Jin Young Ko (+1400), Megan Khang (+4000) and Hannah Green (+1100). Many of these names occupy the top of the betting board because they are really good. Winning the ShopRite LPGA Classic takes great iron play and an opportunistic putter. Each of these players has a great chance as the blend of proximity and putting at this length, both the course and number of holes played, only happens once per season.
Enjoy the shoot-out at the Shore. Take a moment to soak in all the scoring we didn’t see last week. Will we pick three in a row? Based upon familiarity with the course in the Garden State, there is no doubt our card will contend.
Keith Stewart is an award-winning PGA Professional. He covers the LPGA and PGA TOUR for Golf Digest, Sports Grid, The Sporting News, LPGA, and PGA TOUR. If you are looking to raise your golf acumen and love inside information about the game, check out his weekly newsletter called Read The Line.
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