Jin Young Ko Returns To Top Of Betting Markets As JTBC Classic Opens

Written By Derek Helling on March 23, 2022

The World No. 1 is expected to be back in action this week as the LPGA Tour returns to the United States of America. With that development, there’s no mystery for bettors in who is the favorite to win this week’s JTBC Classic.

Jin Young Ko is the consensus favorite but she will face a loaded field of contenders including past winners. Betting action from the event in Carlsbad, California includes other futures and some props, too.

Jin Young Ko favored to win JTBC Classic

Ko, who hasn’t competed since the HSBC Women’s World Championship at the beginning of this month, rejoins the Tour to bettors’ clamor this week. It will be the second event this year she will have competed in.

While she’s definitely been selective in her appearances so far this year, it’s hard to argue with the results so far. She won the HSBC, posting nothing but sub-7o rounds along the way.

That’s a good part of why legal Canadian and US sportsbooks have her as their consensus favorite this week. BetMGM, BetRivers, and FanDuel all have her +500 to win. This will be her first time playing the event, though.

That is far from the case for other contenders in the field. Players with longer odds have fared well in this competition in the past and could replicate that success.

Other contenders with strong JTBC Classic history

Defending champion Inbee Park starts the list here that includes the past seven winners. The others are:

  • Nasa Hataoka (2019)
  • Eun-Hee Ji (2018)
  • Cristie Kerr (2015)
  • Lydia Ko (2016)
  • Mirim Lee (2017)
  • Anna Nordqvist (2014)

This event is heading into its 12th edition as part of the LPGA Tour. Out of those contenders, Kerr, Ko, and Park have previous top-10 finishes. Ji, Ko, and Lee have previous top-five finishes as well.

Sportsbooks have those contenders spread over a wide range in their winner futures. Park has the shortest odds among them, sitting +2000 at Caesars, for example. DraftKings has Hataoka +2800. At PointsBet, Nordqvist is +7000.

For bettors who prefer to not pick a winner, there are other ways to bet on this event. The options vary from book to book, however.

Other markets available on the JTBC Classic

DraftKings and PointsBet offer Top 10 finish futures as well as winner futures. You can get +185 odds on Park securing a third top-10 finish at PointsBet, for instance. DraftKings also has a prop market for which contender will finish the first round with the lead.

Once the tournament begins, bettors should check their favorite apps for live markets on matchups and round props. The first round should begin on Thursday, March 24. The Golf Channel and NBC Sports will provide coverage.

Whether Ko can make it two for two in winning events she’s taken part in is what bettors need to decide for themselves. What all bettors should never have to make a decision on is gambling responsibly, though. That’s a must every time.

Photo by Paul Miller/Associated Press
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Derek Helling

Derek Helling is the assistant managing editor of PlayUSA and the managing editor of BetHer. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Iowa and covers the intersections of the gambling industry with business, the law, and technology.

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