ShopRite LPGA Classic 2025 Tips: Four to star in New Jersey

Our next major championship—the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at PGA Frisco—is just two weeks away, but it’s back to the LPGA this week, as we head to Seaview’s Bay Course in New Jersey for the ShopRite LPGA Classic. 

Star golf tipster Jamie Worsley is back with four more outright selections for glory ranging from 22/1 to 110/1! Here are his ShopRite LPGA Classic 2025 Tips...

Maja Stark defied her lack of form in 2025 and produced an impressive display to make her major breakthrough in last week's US Women's Open at Erin Hills. The Swedish star took a one-shot lead into the final round, and dominated throughout, running out a comfortable two-shot winner over Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda despite bogeying her final two holes.

It confirmed the promise that this former No. 4 amateur has shown right through her pro career—including finishing 2^nd to Nelly in last year's Chevron Championship—and it will be fun to see where this likeable player can take her career in the coming years.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY 

The Shoprite LPGA Classic was first held in 1986 and has been played exclusively at Seaview's Bay Course since 1998. With the exception of the 1990 and 2020 editions, the event is usually contested over 54 holes.

Two players have enjoyed more success in this event than anyone else, each claiming three wins: Betsy King (1987, 1995, 2001) and Annika Sorenstam (1998, 2002, 2005).

There have also been three two time winners, with Juli Inkster—who won the inaugural edition in 1986 before regaining in 1988—joined by Stacy Lewis (2012, 2014) and Anna Nordqvist (2015, 2016).

Last five winners:

• 2024

Winner: Linnea Strom (-14)

Runners-up: Ayaka Furue, Megan Khang (-13)

• 2023

Winner: Ashleigh Buhai (-14)

Runner-up: Hyo Joo Kim (-13)

• 2022

Winner: Brooke Henderson (-12, playoff)

Runner-up: Lindsey Weaver-Wright (-12)

• 2021

Winner: Celine Boutier (-14)

Runners-up: Brooke Henderson, Jin Young Ko, Inbee Park (-13)

• 2020

Winner: Mel Reid (-19)

Runner-up: Jennifer Kupcho (-17)

Linnea Strom produced a record-breaking final-round performance to claim her first LPGA title at the event last year. Starting the final round in 52^nd place, seven shots off the lead, the Swede fired an incredible 11-under-par 60—the lowest ever final round on the LPGA and the second-lowest round overall, behind Annika Sorenstam's 59 in 2001—to win by a single shot, completing the biggest final-round comeback (by position) in LPGA history.

THE COURSE

Seaview's Bay Course was designed by Donald Ross and Hugh Wilson in 1914—with Ross particularly working his magic on the bunkers. Bob Cupp restored the course back to that original design in 1998 and there was a further renovation carried out by Total Turf in 2014.

This was the venue at which Sam Snead won his first ever major title—in the 1942 PGA Championship—where it shared hosting duties with Seaview's other setup: the Pines Course.

Despite being lengthened from 6197yds to 6263yds for this year's renewal, this par-71 course is still one of the shortest venues played on the LPGA. It possesses 4x par 3s (121-212yds), 11x par 4s (301-421yds) and 3x par 5s (477-511yds).

Although it can be impacted by wind due to its somewhat coastal location, scoring is usually reasonably good here, with this three-day event possessing an average winning score of -13.4 across its last 10 renewals.

The course borders salt marshes and wetlands and is generally exposed and open. Largely flat and played on firm, undulating ground—with raised mounds and an abundance of bunkers framing the holes—it provides a notably links-like test.

Beginning fairly narrow on the front nine, the fairways become more generous on the back. Some are positioned at an angle to the tee, which increases the difficulty in finding them, and they are protected by long fescue/bluegrass rough and strategically placed bunkers.

The linksy feel continues on the bentgrass/poa mixed greens, that are open-fronted and encourage play along the ground. These average-large surfaces will play at a slow 11-11.5 on the stimp and are subtly contoured, protected by steep false-fronts and deep pot bunkers.

Home to three short par 5s and many par 4s that can be attacked with a drive and a wedge, Seaview's Bay Course is packed with scoring opportunities. That being said, with interesting routing that means players rarely play two holes into the same wind, it does bare teeth if the elements play their part.

THE WEATHER

It's forecast to be a hot, bright and largely clear week in New Jersey, with temperatures reaching 30C. There could be some strong gusty winds in Friday's opening round (up to 26mph), though that doesn't appear to be long lasting, and excluding the potential for a brief, passing thunderstorm on Saturday, it looks likely to be a trouble-free week at Seaview.

KEY STATS

• SG: Approach/Greens-in-Regulation

Iron play has been a key stat among many of the main challengers at the Bay Course in recent years.

4^th-place finisher Jeeno Thitikul led the field in approach and greens-in-regulation last year. Meanwhile, 5^th-place finisher Morgane Metraux ranked 8^th in approach and 4^th in GIR, while runners-up Ayaka Furue and Megan Khang ranked 10^th and 16^th in approach respectively.

Ashleigh Buhai ranked 4^th in approach and 3^rd in GIR when she won in 2023. Her closest challenger Hyo Joo Kim was 11^th in approach and of the top five, nobody ranked worse than 32^nd.

2022 winner Brooke Henderson ranked 4^th in approach and 6^th in GIR. Of her closest opponents, Lindsey Weaver-Wright was 11^th in approach and four of the top five ranked 15^th or higher in GIR.

• SG: Putting (bentgrass/poa)

The putter has too been vital in recent years, and we should especially focus on those who have excelled on bentgrass/poa or bentgrass greens in the past.

Four of last year's top five ranked inside the top 20 on the putting surfaces, with Morgane Metraux (5^th) ranking 10^th, Ayaka Furue (2^nd) ranking 11^th and Megan Khang (2^nd) ranking 12^th.

It was also hugely important in 2023. Each of the top five ranked inside the top 20, which included winner Ashleigh Buhai ranking 5^th, 3^rd-place finisher Yan Liu ranking 2^nd, and 4^th-place finisher Nanna Madsen ranking 1^st.

• Par 4 Scoring

Finally, those 11 par 4s are the keys to unlocking the course. All of the last three winners have excelled in this statistic: Linnea Strom ranked 1^st last year, Ashleigh Buhai ranked 3^rd in 2023, and Brooke Henderson ranked 2^nd in 2022.

CORRELATING EVENTS (COURSES)

Dana Open (Highland Meadows Golf Club)

Highland Meadows is a spacious, tree-lined course with slow and well-bunkered poa/bent mixed putting surfaces. The greens are a touch narrower, but they are protected by fescue/bluegrass rough, and the course has some strong form ties with Seaview.

Notable correlating form:

In-kyung Kim:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Dana (1^st)

Brittany Lincicome:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Dana (2^nd)

Linnea Strom:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Dana (5^th)

Mel Reid:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Dana (9^th)

Megan Khang:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Dana (2^nd)

Jeongeun Lee6:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Dana (4^th)

Jennifer Kupcho:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Dana (5^th)

Lindsey Weaver-Wright:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Dana (9^th)

Jodi Ewart Shadoff:

Shoprite Classic (3^rd, 7^th, 8^th) / Dana (2^nd)

Gerina Mendoza:

Shoprite Classic (3^rd, 5^th, 5^th) / Dana (3^rd)

Nasa Hataoka:

Shoprite Classic (4^th, 6^th) / Dana (1^st)

Meijer LPGA Classic (Blythefield Country Club)

Blythefield Country Club provides a similar driving test to this week's host. In addition, the slow, elevated poa/bentgrass greens and the utilisation of thick bluegrass rough are also comparable to the Bay Course.

Notable correlating form:

Brooke Henderson:

Shoprite Classic (1^st, 2^nd) / Meijer (1^st, 1^st)

Anna Nordqvist:

Shoprite Classic (1^st, 1^st) / Meijer (4^th, 5^th)

Annie Park:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Meijer (7^th)

Brittany Lincicome:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Meijer (7^th)

Jennifer Kupcho:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Meijer (1^st)

Haru Nomura:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Meijer (4^th)

Gerina Mendoza:

Shoprite Classic (3^rd, 5^th, 5^th) / Meijer (2^nd)

Ally Ewing:

Shoprite Classic (3^rd) / Meijer (4^th, 6^th)

Nasa Hataoka:

Shoprite Classic (4^th, 6^th) / Meijer (2^nd)

Su Oh:

Shoprite Classic (5^th, 7^th) / Meijer (2^nd, 4^th)

Narin An:

Shoprite Classic (6^th) / Meijer (5^th)

Mizuho Americas Open (Liberty National Golf Club)

Liberty National Golf Club was designed by the man who restored Seaview's Bay Course in 1998, Bob Cupp. This fellow New Jersey course also has a links-like feel—flat and exposed, with raised bentgrass greens, bold bunkering, and tall fescue/bluegrass rough.

Notable correlating form:

Celine Boutier:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Mizuho (2^nd)

Ashleigh Buhai:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Mizuho (7^th)

Jennifer Kupcho:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Mizuho (2^nd, 3^rd)

Ayaka Furue:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Mizuho (4^th, 7^th)

Marina Alex:

Shoprite Classic (3^rd, 6^th, 8^th) / Mizuho (7^th)

Jeeno Thitikul:

Shoprite Classic (4^th, 6^th) / Mizuho (1^st)

Women's Open & Women's Scottish Open

Finally, the links-like style of Seaview's Bay Course has suited many players who possess form on more traditional British links courses in the Women's Open and Women's Scottish Open.

Notable correlating form:

Celine Boutier:

Shoprite (1^st) / Scottish (1^st, 2^nd)

Anna Nordqvist:

Shoprite Classic (1^st, 1^st) / Women's Open (1^st)

Ashleigh Buhai:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Women's Open (1^st)

I K Kim:

Shoprite Classic (1^st) / Women's Open (1^st)

Ayaka Furue:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Scottish (1^st, 3^rd)

Hyo Joo Kim:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Scottish/Women's Open (2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th)

Megan Khang:

Shoprite Classic (2^nd) / Scottish (3^rd)

Jodi Ewart Shadoff:

Shoprite Classic (3^rd, 7^th, 8^th) / Women's Open (2^nd)

Jeeno Thitikul:

Shoprite Classic (4^th, 6^th) / Scottish (2^nd)

Nanna Madsen:

Shoprite Classic (4^th) / Women's Open (5^th)

THE FIELD

The world's top two players will be in attendance this week, with No. 1 Nelly Korda and No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul leading a group of four players from inside the top 10. They're joined by last week's US Women's Open winner, Maja Stark—now at a career-best No. 6—and No. 10 Mao Saigo.

Last year's winner Linnea Strom returns to defend and is one of six former champions in the field, alongside Ashleigh Buhai (2023), Brooke Henderson (2022), Annie Park (2018), Stacy Lewis (2014, 2012) and Brittany Lincicome (2011).

Proven winners such as Jin Young Ko, Rio Takeda, Ayaka Furue, and Patty Tavatanakit add depth to the field. Meanwhile, 16- and 17-year-old amateurs Asterisk Talley and Gianna Clemente—both ranked among the top 25 amateurs—will also tee it up.

ShopRite LPGA Classic Odds

SELECTIONS 

Market leaders: Nelly Korda 11/2, Jeeno Thitikul 7/1, Jin Young Ko 11/1, Rio Takeda 12/1, Mao Saigo 16/1, Chisato Iwai 16/1, Ayaka Furue 16/1

2 pts Lauren Coughlin each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 22/1

Lauren Coughlin has produced some strong performances at the Bay Course and ticks every box for this test statistically. Although she missed the cut last week, it was her first of the season and in good form prior to that, she represents good value this week.

Coughlin has made 10 appearances in 2025 and recorded seven top-25 finishes. Her best performance of the year came when she finished runner-up in the T-Mobile Match Play, and she picked up a second top-five finish the following week, finishing 3^rd in the JM Eagle LA Championship.

She ranks 19^th on tour from tee-to-green and is again excelling with her irons, ranking 22^nd in greens-in-regulation and 24^th in approach. The putter remains sound, ranking 59^th and as a top-25 par-4 scorer, she's performing well in each key area.

Coughlin has started to amass a strong record here in recent years, finishing 12^th in 2022 and 9^th in 2024. Her win in last year's Women's Scottish Open provides added encouragement in relation to her ability to contend on this linksy layout.

1.5 pts Akie Iwai each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 33/1

Akie Iwai has gone close to earning an LPGA win in her rookie season twice already, though it was twin sister, Chisato who broke through first in Mexico two weeks ago. I’m hoping that will spur Akie on further to get that first win on the board, and as an excellent iron player, this looks a great spot for her to do so.

Iwai has recorded two runner-up finishes on the LPGA in 2025—the first in the Honda LPGA Thailand and the second in the JM Eagle LA Championship six starts ago. Her form suffered a little after LA, but she looked better two weeks ago in the Riviera Maya Open, finishing 16^th, and she was a solid 45^th in last week’s US Women’s Open.

Her iron play has stood out most, ranking 10^th in approach and 14^th in greens-in-regulation this season. Furthermore, she has begun to find form on the greens in recent starts, ranking 16^th in Mexico and 32^nd at Erin Hills.

Iwai hasn’t played here previously, but she has performed encouragingly in each start in the Women’s Open, finishing 11^th in 2023 and 7^th at St Andrews last year.

1.5 pts Allisen Corpuz each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 33/1

2025 has been a positive one for Allisen Corpuz, recording several top-25 finishes and looking good in each of the majors. Her approach play and putting appeared to be in great shape at Erin Hills, and if she can keep that up this week, she should enjoy the Bay Course on debut.

Corpuz has hit the top 25 on six occasions so far, going best when 3^rd in the Ford Championship and 7^th in the Honda LPGA Thailand. She finished 18^th in the first major of the season—the Chevron Championship—and bounced back from two missed cuts to finish 31^st in last week’s US Women’s Open, where she ranked 16^th in approach and 26^th in putting.

The American has been hitting her irons well all season, ranking 5^th in greens-in-regulation and 34^th in approach. She has also scored well on the par 4s, ranking 27^th and it was encouraging to see her find something on the greens last week.

Corpuz hasn’t played here before but finishes of 2^nd in the Dana Open and 5^th in the Meijer LPGA Classic represent promising pieces of comp form. In addition, the biggest moment of her career thus far came in the 2023 US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach—a short, coastal course with poa greens.

1 pt Miranda Wang each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 110/1

Miranda Wang has been super consistent at the start of her rookie season, missing zero cuts in her six starts. Possessing a strong short game and looking reliable with her irons, she should enjoy this setup.

Wang earned her step up to the LPGA by finishing 14^th in last year’s Epson Tour standings, recording six top-10 finishes in 2024.

She began this season out in East Asia, finishing 29^th in the HSBC Women’s World Championship and 8^th in the Blue Bay LPGA. After a successful detour to the China LPGA, where she finished 3^rd, she has continued to show consistency on the LPGA upon her return—making each of her last four cuts and finishing 26^th on her latest start in the Riviera Maya Open.

Wang ranks 32^nd in approach, 44^th in putting and does most of her best work on the par 4s, ranking 39^th in par 4 scoring. She makes her debut here this week, but that’s been the case in most of her starts this season, and due to her statistical profile, this layout may just be the most suitable one she’s played so far.

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