The 144 players’ field is ready to tee it up at the Bay Course at Seaview for the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic. With the defending champion Ashleigh Buhai returning to the New Jersey greens, the LPGA Classic will start on June 7. Surprisingly, the event will have a Friday start. So, will it conclude on Monday?

According to the ShopRite LPGA Classic official site, the event has been a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 1986. Since then, the event has been played over 54 holes rather than 72, except in 1990 and 2020. Thus, the event will finish on Sunday, regardless. But will it have any cuts? Yes, despite the 3-day format, the ShopRite Classic will have a cut.

On Saturday of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, a standard cut will be made after 36 holes and only the top 65 and ties from the field will be moving forward for the final round. This unique format of 54-hole stroke play makes the ShopRite LPGA Classic a standalone event on the LPGA Tour schedule.

This year, the remarkable event has many top faces teeing up at Seaview, including 2024 U.S. Women’s Open winner Yuka Saso, legendary golfer and HOF member Karrie Webb, and former winner Brooke Henderson. Since the ShopRite LPGA Classic differs in its stroke-play format, does it also have a particular way other than the playoffs to choose the winner?

Does the ShopRite LPGA Classic have a playoff?

If there is a tie at the end of regulation play, the three-day event also proceeds to a playoff to determine the winner. In the history of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, there have been only three times that a winner was declared after a playoff. The first was in 1988 when Juli Inkster and Beth Daniel were tied for 7 under 206 at the Greater Bay Country Club in Somers Point. Inkster then-28 chipped in the par putt to win the then-Atlantic City Classic.

The second playoff was in 1992. It was between Anna Marie Palli and Laura Davies. The French pro shot three rounds in the 60s and was with Davies in the final playoff. It was a sudden death playoff as Palli secured a two-foot birdie and defeated Laurie for her second LPGA Tour victory after nine years.

The third and last playoff of the ShopRite LPGA Classic was played between Brooke Henderson and Lindsey Weaver-Wright. Henderson also ended the playoff in one hole after she drained an eagle on the 18th hole and won her 11th title on the LPGA Tour. Following the traditions, the unconventional LPGA Classic will have the playoff in case of any ties from the lead after three days.

As apparent, in the past 34 editions, a playoff has been a rare sight at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. This year, with many young and old stars entering the Bay Course at Seaview in New Jersey, the event might see its fourth playoff to crown the winner. Will Ashleigh Buhai be able to defend her title and win her third LPGA Tour title?

Share your prediction for the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic in the comments.