The LPGA Tour stays in New Jersey after last week’s ShopRite Classic and sportsbooks are sticking to recent trends as well. Jin Young Ko opens up another event as the betting favorite in this week’s LPGA Cognizant Cup.
Picking a winner isn’t the only way to bet this event, though. Sportsbooks offer markets on group winners and matchup wagers as well.
Ko leading the way in LPGA Cognizant Cup odds
The current World No. 2 slipped a little last week but didn’t perform badly enough to make sportsbooks back off her game. She won this event the last time it was played (there was no 2020 version due to the COVID-19 pandemic), then called the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.
In fact, Ko has never finished out of the top 10 in this event. We could see a replay of 2019 near the top of this event, as World No. 1 Nelly Korda will return to the course after she took an extended post-Olympic break.
Korda tied for second in 2019 with three others including her sister Jessica. This is one of the newest events on the tour, as the first version was played in 2011. Four past winners including Inbee Park (2018), Anna Nordqvist (2017), Sei Young Kim (2016), and Stacy Lewis (2013) are expected to vie for second titles this week.
The tournament takes place at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell. The par-72 course consistently demands players are in top form in their short games.
Which players are best suited to do well this week?
Anytime Park is hitting her putts, she’s a contender. She’s among the year’s leaders in statistical categories like putting and scoring average, which is nothing new for her. If she’s on her game, she’s a great value.
Brooke Henderson is another name that should come to mind for bettors considering contenders for their short game. If she can hit the greens consistently enough to set herself up, she’s another name with even a better payout.
Contenders out of the loaded Group B might intrigue bettors as well. Minjee Lee currently has the shortest odds (+275) to win that Group at BetRivers Sportsbook but Kim and Lexi Thompson are lurking.
DraftKings Sportsbook offers some intriguing matchup props for bettors who want to take a more micro approach to this event. For example, bettors can currently get -115 odds on either side of Megan Khang vs. Madelene Sagstrom.
As the 2021 LPGA calendar looks toward its finish, Ko has a chance to reclaim the top spot in the Rolex rankings this week. She might have to again hold off Nelly Korda to do so.
