Presented by Acer, the ShopRite LPGA Classic has been a mainstay in Galloway, New Jersey since 1986.
Some of the best players in the history of the LPGA, including Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King, and Karrie
Webb have won this event. The format is 72 holes over a par 71 layout covering 6,190 yards. This year’s
purse was $1.3 million with 500 points towards the Race to the CME Globe at stake. Last year, Lexi
Thompson made an eagle on the last hole to earn a one-shot victory over Jeongeun Lee6.
Round 1
During the first round, scoring conditions were ideal, as 82 players shot par or better. Laura Stephenson
posted an 8-under par round of 63 that included eight birdies and an eagle. She was tied with Mi Hyang
Lee, whose immaculate scorecard included eight birdies without a bogey. Ryan O’Toole and Nasa
Hataoka were just two off the pace and Jennifer Song sat at three shots back. Defending champion Lexi
Thompson and Moriya Jutanguarn were tied at five-under. Fourteen players posted two-under par
scores and another 16, including Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn were at one-under.
Round 2
Hasa Nataoka took the lead at the halfway point after firing a round of 67 to put her at 11-
under par. Mel Reid made a charge with five birdies on the last seven holes, finishing with a 64
and was just one off the pace, tied with Mi Hyang Lee. Celine Boutier vaulted up the
leaderboard with a 65 and was tied with Amy Olson at just two shots back. Gaby Lopez also
posted a 65 and was within striking distance at five-under. Laura Stephenson dropped well
back after a 75 and Lexi Thompson failed to get going and was tied for 36th at 3-under. Ariya
Jutanugarn had a disastrous day, posting a 78 and was well outside the cut line. Other notables
to miss the cut were Inbee Park, Mirim Lee, Bronte Law, and Madelen Sagstrom.
Round 3
Jennifer Kupcho and Jennifer Song both recorded 65’s in the third round, posting no bogeys
between them. They were both at 14-under par, one shot behind Mel Reid, who posted a round
of 66. Hasa Nataoka couldn’t put together a run of birdies and had a lackluster 70 and fell to
three off the pace. Kelly Tan and Ryann O’Toole stayed relevant for the final round at 11-under,
while Brooke Henderson quietly inched her way up the leaderboard and was at 10-under. Lexi
Thompson was nine off the pace and appeared to have little chance to repeat. While many of
the scores were stellar, Celine Boutier struggled to a 74 and In Gee Chun dropped to 56 th after a
round of 77.
Round 4
Although they did not finish among the leaders, the final round scores of 65 shot by Pajaree
Anannarukarn and Maria Fassi showed that the potential was there for someone back in the
pack to make a move. Jennifer Song finished at 16-under, Nasa Hataoka was at 14-under, while
Nelly Korda was at 12-under.
The four-under par round of 67 by Mel Reid kept everyone at bay, finishing at 19-under and
victorious by two shots over Jennifer Kupcho, who was hurt by a 3-over, 4-hole stretch on the
front nine. The win by Reid was her first on the LPGA Tour and seventh professional victory.
The LPGA Tour heads to Newton Square, Pennsylvania October 8–11 for the KPMG Women’s
PGA Championship. Hannah Green is the defending champion in this major with a purse of $4.3
million and 625 points at stake for the Race to the Globe.L
