Course Preview
Shoprite Classic
June 6-8, 2025
Galloway, NJ
Sea View Golf Club
After the pain that was last week, I'm glad we have an extra day off with a little bit of a funky week as we head back to Sea View in Jersey for the first 3 day event of the season. Sea View has been the host site of the Atlantic City staple since the mid '80s and it's one of the few events on the calendar that has actually earned the "classic" in it's name. The par 71, Donald Ross design will feature 4 par 3s, 11 par 4s, and 3 par 5s. It's also one of the shortest courses on tour, playing just over 6200 yards. The fairways are relatively narrow, but the rough is not too punishing. The greens are a bent/poa blend, but don't tend to run too fast. They feature some nuanced slopes and breaks, so some previous history here is not a bad thing.
Last year, Linnea Strom won after shooting a final round 60 to go from making the cut on the number to winning out right. She clipped Megan Khang and Ayaka Furue. In 2023, Ash Buhai won at 14 under, with HJ Kim finishing 2nd. 2022 had Brooke winning at 12 under. I think we can probably expect a similar winning score. One of the primary defenses of this course is the stiff breeze coming off the Atlantic and we can expect more of the same on Friday afternoon and all of Saturday. I think there is a strong AM-PM wave edge this week.
In terms of some general observations, you don't need to be a long hitter to play well here. Short hitters with low ball flights have made their hay here. You also don't need to putt the lights out to win here, in true Donnie Ross fashion. Obviously a good putting week never hurts, but a strong approach week is the key this week. I think course history is relatively sticky with some players who aren't as decorated, racking up a bunch of top 10 finishes. Jenny Shin, Marina Alex, and Jodie Ewart Shadoff aren't exactly household names, but they've all had multiple top 10 finishes here in the last 5 years. These greens aren't pure bent, but they are pretty close, so I think you can look to Wal-Mart, Dana, and the defunct Ascendant as course comps.
If you want to throw it all in the blender, I'm looking for general GIR play, bent success, and low apex wind players.
Player Thoughts:
Nelly +550 - Has only played her once, but finished top 10 in 2020. She has Donald Ross pedigree, winning at Pelican in Florida. Coming off a t2 at the USWO. Most popular player in the game. I get why this is the number, but this number is far too short. Nelly's t2 last week was truly the worst she could've finished. Her driver was such a weapon, she was playing from the fairways and down into the easy approach zones. Her putting was so bad and you are going to need that here if you want to get to 13 or 14 under. She's also in the bad wave of PM/AM. Hard pass.
Jeeno +750 - Jeeno flow chart. Is the course easy? if yes, is her number better than 7-1? if yes, bet her. Don't read any further. Just bet Jeeno.
Takeda +1100 - Have we missed the days of seeing Takeda in the 20s? I am hoping that Donald Ross has a bit too much nuance for the first timer here. Although that makes no sense since she has multiple wins on debut...I'll go back to the well at the KPMG in a few weeks.
Ayaka Furue +1600 - Great bounce-back spot for Furue after she has gotten beat down at these distance-friendly events, but a terrible number. Pass.
Ashleigh Buhai +4000 - Ash opened at 70 and got crushed down to 40. Off of two MCs, this is a great spot for the former winner here. Any course where you can keep hit and hold greens with a 6 hybrid is an Ash Buhai spot. Seems to win on coastal spots (here, Muirfield, a bunch on the sandbelt in Australia). Too "popular" and the number is pretty harsh, but wouldn't surprise me to see her get deeply in the mix.
Maja Stark +5000 - Ouch.
Brooke Henderson +5000 - Former winner here. At her best, this is a perfect Brooke course that favours t2g play and total ball striking. I don't think Brooke's game is all the way back yet, but she has shown signs of life lately. 12th at the Black Desert and made it out of the group stages at the Match Play. Top 10 is probably the play here.
Albane Valenzuela +12500 - Her game hasn't been very good of late, but she did post a t23 at Chevron a little over a month ago. If you want to buy into the horses for courses narrative, Albane is the play. Hasn't finished out the top 10 in her last 3 starts at Shoprite and probably would've lost her card if not for this event. Top 10 at +800 is probably more sensible.
Linnea Strom +20000 - Obligatory notice that the defending champion is 200-1.
Outright Card:
Full disclaimer - I do not like my card at all this week, I wish I had just waited and bet Jeeno at +750. I think the number is there on BOL. She's in the good wave and this is a great price on her with 4th and a 6th in her only starts here. Erin Hills was never going to be her spot, and I'm not worried about the missed cut. She MC'd at Chevron and won a few weeks later at Liberty National. Bet Jeeno, Bet Jeeno, Bet Jeeno.
Having said that, I am still playing the long game and taking a few shots down the board.
Miyu Yamashita +2200 (b365) - I think the best number out there is an 18 on Fanduel, which isn't terrible. 3 top 10s on the year and is a putting savant. She hits the ball a bit too short to contend every week, but her 36th last week had her in the top 5 for putting on the week. I am dedicated to picking the next first time Japanese winner and the next one up is either her or Akie.
Lauren Coughlin +2800 (BetRivers) - Winner in Canada on bent, winner in Scotland in the wind. 9th and 12th here. Last week's MC is no biggie as Coughlin isn't a bomber, but a flusher. Erin Hills couldn't have set up worse for her. Not a concern this week. Great number from a player who is a putt or two away from having two titles for the year.
Akie Iwai +3500 (FD) - I will repeat my thoughts from last week, why is she going off at longer odds than her sister Chisato? Akie is way better, has two runner ups on the year, and doesn't need to chip here.