2023 LPGA Picks: The Cognizant Founders Cup Golf Odds and Expert Betting Predictions
This will be the second year in a row that Upper Montclair Country Club will host the Cognizant Founders Cup. The field is headlined by the likes of Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and more. This is set to be a 144-player field and marks the first LPGA Tour event in the Eastern time zone this season. The field will be playing for a $3 million purse, with 34 of the top 50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings among the top contenders. We will look below at which players have a great chance to win on Sunday.
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A Look at the Field
Here is a look at the top 12 and ties with the lowest golf odds to win it all at online sportsbooks.
Nelly Korda +750 – Atthaya Thitikul +900 – Lydia Ko +1200 – Lilia Vu +1200
Jin Young Ko +1200 – Nasa Hataoka +1600 – Hye-Jin Choi +1800 – Georgia Hall +1800
Xiyu Lin +2000 – Lexi Thompson +2500 – Celine Boutier +2800 – Hannah Green +3000
Those Who Can Win or Secure Winning Golf Bets
Nelly Korda +750
Korda has been the most consistent golfer in 2023 on the LPGA Tour. She has averaged 1.72 putts per greens in regulation this year, which is currently her best average for any year on tour since 2017. She is one of two players making birdie or better more than 37% of the time after hitting the green. In 2023, Korda recorded six top-six finishes in seven events played. At her last victory, the 2022 ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, she had a putting average of 1.62 putts per GIR with a 40% birdie or better conversion rate. If Korda is sinking putts this weekend, she can easily win this event.
Lilia Vu +1200
Vu is the only American player to win on the LPGA Tour this year, and she has done it twice in comeback fashion. After recording eight top-10 finishes in 2022 and a tie for 30th at the CME Group Tour Championship, Vu began her third season in 2023 with her best performance to date. At the 2023 Honda LPGA Thailand, she overcame a six-stroke deficit in the final round to claim victory. Vu has displayed poise and patience in her ascent to becoming the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings World No. 4. Vu should be a strong play this weekend in New Jersey.
Lexi Thompson +2500
Thompson will be trying to one-up her second-place finish in last year’s Founders Cup. Despite a strong showing last year, Thompson was unable to hold off Minjee Lee, who won by two strokes. Her performance statistics showed her to be the most consistent player across all three areas of the game: driving, approach and putting. She converted 17 of 18 putts from 5-10 feet and was the only player to record four rounds in the 60s. Thompson has a ton of experience and skill, having won 11 LPGA championships in her career. She will likely be a top contender this weekend and a force to be reckoned with.
Minjee Lee +3500
Defending a championship in sports on any level is no easy task, but Minjee Lee is eager for the challenge after winning in 2022. She won with her impressive tee-to-green performance against the field. According to the KPMG Performance Insights, Lee excelled in her accuracy from the fairway with more than four strokes gained in her approach shots. She led the field in average proximity to the hole from 100-125 yards and 150-175 yards in a combined 28 shots over these distances. Once on the green, Lee had 50 birdie chances within 20 feet, which was the most of any player. Look for Lee to be locked in this upcoming weekend in defense of her title.
Golf Picks: Who to Consider This Week:
Players to win: Nelly Korda +750, Lilia Vu +1200
Top 5: Lexi Thompson +500
Top 10: Minjee Lee +300
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