Out of the Rough: ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern (2026)

The LPGA Tour remains on the east coast, moving from Ohio to New Jersey for this week’s ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern.

This is one of the longest standing events on the LPGA schedule, first being played in 1986. It has been played at the Bay Course at the Seaview Golf Resort since 1998.

Despite its longevity, the event was lost from the LPGA schedule between 2006 and 2010. 

It was founded as the Atlantic City LPGA Classic in 1986. It has played under names including the Atlantic City Classic, ShopRite LPGA Classic and the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. 

Wakefern, a New Jersey based supermarket cooperative, has taken over title sponsorship this season. Wakefern also owns ShopRite.

The Field

Being the final event prior to the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally in two weeks time, many of the world’s best will sit idle this week.

Charley Hull (No. 7,) comes in as the highest ranked golfer within the Rolex Women’s World Rankings to be playing this week.

She’ll be joined by Hye-Jin Choi (No. 15,) Aki Iwai (No. 18,) Chizzy Iwai (No. 21) and Jennifer Kupcho (No. 24) as those ranked within the top-25 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings to be teeing it up this week.

Kupcho comes in as the defending champion as she birdied three-of-the-last-five holes, including 18, to hold off Ilhee Lee a season ago.

Other former winners of this event teeing it up this week include Linnea Strom (2024,) Ashleigh Buhai (2023,) Brooke Henderson (2022,) Celine Boutier (2021,) Annie Park (2018,) Anna Nordqvist (2015 & 2016) and Brittany Lincicome (2011.)

The Course

The Bay Course at Seaview Golf Resort in Galloway, New Jersey is a classic 1914 Donald Ross design.

It plays as a par-71 at 6,263 yards.

The venue is known for its Scottish links feel, sweeping marsh views and the nearby Atlantic City backdrop.

As the distance on the scorecard may suggest, this is a positional, strategy-based golf course. It requires strategic shot-making over pure distance and power.

Off-the-tee, the tight fairways are lined by tall fescue, to go along with the Scottish links influence.

Another line of defense this course offers are the deep pot bunkers that will challenge even the world’ best sand players.

From there, golfers will play to famously small and undulating greens. Holding the greens will be tough so a complete short game will be required this week.

In all, this is a short course that requires patience, strategy and a complete game to contend at.

The Weather

As of the time of writing this, Thursday is calling for just a ten-percent chance of precipitation. Friday is calling for a 20-percent chance, Saturday a 15-percent chance and Sunday a 20-percent chance. Temperatures will begin the week at the highest on Thursday at 78-degrees before dropping to 76-degrees on Friday. From there, temperatures will fall to 72-degrees on Saturday before returning to 74-degrees on Sunday. Winds will be the lowest on Thursday at nine miles-per-hour before jumping to ten miles-per-four on Friday and 12 miles-per-hour across both days of the weekend.

Key Stats

• Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: APP)

• Driving Accuracy Percentage

• Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: PUTT)

• Putting average per Greens in Regulation Percentage

• Strokes Gained: Around the Green (SG: ATG)

• Ball Striking

• Scrambling

• Sand Saves Percentage

• Bogey Avoidance

• Par-4 Average Scoring

Betting Card

Check back for my full betting card!