Venue: Seaview Golf Club – Bay Course, Galloway, New Jersey
Par: 71 Yardage: 6,197 yards
Purse: $1.75 million
Defending Champion: Brooke Henderson (2025)
VENUE — SEAVIEW BAY COURSE (GALLOWAY, NJ)
One of the most iconic stops on the LPGA Tour, the Bay Course is a Donald Ross–designed seaside layout known for:
- Wind‑exposed fairways
- Firm, fast greens
- Short but strategic par‑4s
- Coastal marshland hazards
- Classic Ross green complexes with run‑offs
This is a precision and creativity golf course — not a bomber’s paradise. Historically, the winning score ranges from –12 to –17, depending on wind.
WEATHER FORECAST — OPENING ROUND
Late May on the Jersey Shore is unpredictable, and wind is always a factor.
Projected Conditions:
- Temperature: 69–73°F
- Wind: 14–18 mph from the southeast (major factor)
- Humidity: 60–70%
- Rain: 15% chance of light showers
- Course Impact:
- Morning wave gets calmer conditions
- Afternoon wave faces gusts and firmer greens
- Wind direction favors aggressive players on par‑5s but punishes misses on exposed par‑3s
Expect classic coastal golf — swirling winds, firm turf, and a premium on trajectory control.
COURSE CONDITIONS & SETUP
Fairways: Firm, running fast Greens: Bent/Poa mix, rolling at 11.0–11.3 Rough: 2.5 inches — playable but penal near greens Hazards: Marshland, pot bunkers, wind corridors Signature Holes:
- Par‑3 3rd: Exposed to wind, shallow green
- Par‑4 9th: Demanding tee shot with marsh left
- Par‑5 18th: Reachable in two with favorable wind; dramatic finishing hole
This is a shot‑maker’s course where SG: Approach and SG: Around‑the‑Green are the most predictive stats.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS & FIELD ANALYSIS
The ShopRite LPGA Classic always draws a strong field due to its historic venue and proximity to the U.S. Women’s Open.
1. Nelly Korda vs. Jin Young Ko
- Korda: World No. 1, elite ball‑striking, thrives in wind
- Ko: Best iron player of her generation, elite control Edge: Korda (slight), due to wind advantage
2. Brooke Henderson vs. Ayaka Furue
- Henderson: Defending champion, strong coastal record
- Furue: Top‑5 in LPGA in driving accuracy and GIR Edge: Furue (course fit)
3. Lilia Vu vs. Atthaya Thitikul
- Vu: Power + elite putting
- Thitikul: Best all‑around game in the field Edge: Thitikul (more consistent in wind)
4. Charley Hull vs. Celine Boutier
- Hull: Aggressive, thrives in firm conditions
- Boutier: Precision player, great scrambler Edge: Boutier (better around the greens)
TOURNAMENT HISTORY — SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC
Recent winners:
- 2025 — Brooke Henderson (-16)
- 2024 — Ashleigh Buhai (-14)
- 2023 — Ayaka Furue (-17)
- 2022 — Brooke Henderson (-12)
- 2021 — Celine Boutier (-14)
Key Trends:
- Multiple repeat winners (Henderson, Sorenstam, Kerr)
- Winners gain +1.5 strokes per round on approach
- Wind‑savvy players dominate
- Sunday charges are common due to reachable par‑5 18th
RECENT PLAYER FORM (TOP CONTENDERS)
Nelly Korda
- Last 5 starts: Win, T3, T7, Win, T12
- Best tee‑to‑green player in the world
- Perfect fit for windy coastal setups
Jin Young Ko
- Last 5 starts: T5, T9, T18, T4, T7
- Elite iron play, but putting streaky
- Historically strong at ShopRite
Ayaka Furue
- Last 5 starts: T2, T8, T11, T6, T4
- Top‑5 in driving accuracy
- Trending upward and loves short, strategic courses
Brooke Henderson
- Last 5 starts: T20, T14, MC, T9, T3
- Defending champion
- Strong wind player
Atthaya Thitikul
- Last 5 starts: T6, T3, T15, T10, T2
- Best all‑around statistical profile in the field
