The LPGA heads to Hollywood, California this week as the DIO Implant LA Open gets underway at the Wilshire Country Club.
Six of the world’s top-10 female golfers compete for the tournament’s $1.5 million prize purse, but only one will rise to the occasion. Oddsmakers look to World No. 1 Jin Young Ko to return to the course in an unstoppable fashion.
Jin Young Ko destined for Hollywood greatness
26-year-old Jin Young Ko is no stranger to the leaderboard. She’s won four of the six previous tournaments she’s participated in. And in this one specifically, she’s never finished outside of the top five — a feat she plans to extend this year.
Ko skipped last week’s Lotte Championship after posting a mediocre performance at the season-opening Chevron Championship. She’ll be looking for a shot at redemption this week, and she’s got even more to prove since her parents will be in the audience.
DraftKings Sportsbook favors her with +600 odds for the win and -140 odds of placing in the top 10.
Notable contenders
A number of talented contenders also take to the field this week, each hoping to give Ko a run for the top spot.
Atthaya Thitikul
Atthaya Thitikul may only be a young 19 years old, but her consistent success makes her a contender to watch. She logger her first No. 1 finish of her career in late March at the JTBC Classic. Moreover, she’s placed in the top 10 at 4 of her 7 appearances this year. DraftKings gives her +1600 odds of a win and +180 odds of top 10.
Brooke Henderson
Last year, Jessica Korda led going into Sunday’s final round before letting the lead slip away to defending champ Brooke Henderson. Henderson sealed her 10th LPGA victory with a 67 in the final round after entering the last day four strokes behind.
Korda’s odds fall into the middle of the pack this year, but Henderson’s likelihood of a top finish remains strong. Henderson withdrew from last week’s Lotte Championship, making it initially unclear as to whether she would compete at the DIO Implant. However, DraftKings gives her +1600 odds of a win and +180 odds of placing in the top 10 entering into this event.
Patty Tavatanakit
Out of the six tournaments, she’s competed in this season, two of them have been top-10 finishes. In fact, she tied for fourth place both times. The first came in early February at the LPGA Drive On Championship. The most recent came at the end of March during the Chevron Championship.
In 2021, Tavatanakit secured the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award after winning the 2021 ANA Inspiration. The 22-year-old will be looking to add to her storied resume this season, and the DIO Implant could be just the place to do so.
Minjee Lee
World No. 5 Minjee Lee also knows the course well, after becoming the champion back in 2019. She’s posted a trio of struggles during her past appearances this year, claiming only one top 10 finish thus far.
That top finish came at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she tied for second. Four appearances removed from that successful event, Lee now carries +1800 odds of claiming the title and +190 odds of landing in the top 10.
