2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic: Power Rankings, Defending Champion, Prize Money, and Major Details

The LPGA Tour moves to New Jersey for the historical ShopRite LPGA Classic. The event has been played on the women’s circuit sporadically since 1986. This year, it has been scheduled to start on June 7th and after three days, it will end on June 9th. Traditionally, the ShopRite Classic has always been played over three days, except for the 1990 and 2020 editions.

This year too, the same format will follow for the 2024 field of players. Many top-ranked players, including former champions Stacy Lewis, and Brooke Henderson, major winners Anna Nordqvist, and HOF member Karrie Webb, will be on the field. Though only one will win the Classic.

Top 5 players to win the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic

144 players, including amateurs and the top players from around the world, will enter the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Bay Course at Seaview in New Jersey. Only one will come out on top to clinch the glassware on Sunday and take home a cut ($262,500) from the $1.75 million prize purse. It may be from the five golfers listed below!

1. Yuka Saso: By the age of 22, Yuka Saso is already a two-time major winner. The Japanese pro recently won the 79th U.S. Women’s Open after winning it first in 2021. Saso started her 2024 LPGA Tour season at Honda LPGA Thailand and carded her first top 20 (T16) finish. Since then, the 22-year-old has been in the top 25 three times. Coming off of a major boost, the world #6 might continue down on her winning streak to win her third LPGA Tour title in New Jersey.

2. Hannah Green: The 27-year-old can be seen as the underdog. Hannah Green might have missed the cut twice so far in the 2024 season, but she has also won two times! Green was the champion at the HSBC Women’s World Championship and the JM Eagle LA Championship. Moreover, she was also a solo runner-up at the Mizuho Americas Open. The stats prove Green has it to make it bigger on the jersey greens once again.

3. Ayaka Furue: She has been on the chase for a better position and a second LPGA Tour title. In 2024, Ayaka Furue has been charting the leaderboards. The 24-year-old pro has played 12 events, out of which she was in the top 25s eight times and six times in the top 10s.

Moreover, following her last two games, Furue was T7 at the Mizuho Americas Open. While the Lancaster CC proved to be a struggle for many top pros, the Japanese golfer made the cut and finished T6. This might be the time when Furue takes the stride to be the leader in the end.

4. Atthaya Thitikul: The Thai pro started her 2024 season later than everyone else as she was injured in the left hand. However, Atthaya Thitikul recovered to make impressive progress. The 21-year-old has played only four LPGA Tour events so far, though was in the top 12 in three. She finished solo 12 at the Chevron Championship, T7 at the Mizuho Americas Open, and T6 at the U.S. Women’s Open. By the time Thitikul reaches the ShopRite LPGA Classic, she may improve enough to be the 3-time LPGA Tour winner.

4. Jin Young Ko: The 15-time LPGA Tour winner is the third-highest-ranked golfer in the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Jin Young Ko has been attempting to revive her former charm on the LPGA Tour in the 2024 season. She has finished twice in the top 10 and top 20. Ko has yet to win on the LPGA Tour after her 2023 Cognizant Founder’s Cup victory but she has persevered to maintain her rank and play better. As the field is relatively weaker, Ko might have the chance to win for the 16th time.

Defending champion and exploring the cut for the ShopRite LPGA Classic?

Ashleigh Buhai won the 2023 ShopRite LPGA Classic by a one-stroke lead over Kim Hyo Joo and lifted her second LPGA Tour trophy. The South African pro has struggled to put up an impressive performance in the 2024 season, with no top-10 finishes shining on her results. Buhai might change her strategies to defend the title and once again rise above her struggles.

As is well known, the ShopRite LPGA Classic has always been a 54-hole stroke play event. This exception at many other leagues might mean that there will be no cut. However, at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, there will be a cut made. After Saturday’s second round, only the top 65 and ties will move on to the final round.

Thus, despite playing for just three days, the pros would still not be guaranteed a berth in the final round. Who will be the winner of the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic? Share your predictions in the comments.