Danielle Kang stole the spotlight in an unexpected twist at the latest major tournament on the LPGA Tour schedule this past weekend. Kang captured her first career win and first major title victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. As if a newcomer capturing her first LPGA Tour win at a major wasn’t a big enough story on its own, the fact that Kang won in dramatic fashion made it that much more impressive. Kang made four birdies in a row at one point and then birdied the final hole to establish her victory as one of the most impressive stories of the year so far. Now the focus shifts to Rogers, Arkansas and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at the Pinnacle Country Club this week. Kang won’t take any time off between tournaments but just like last week she will not be among the sports betting favorites to win this event. Odds are courtesy of BetDSI.
Event Details
Event: Arkansas Championship
Category: LPGA
Date: June 22nd-24th, 2018
Location: Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Arkansas
Kang is listed at long odds again this week with a +6600 price tag if you want to bet on her to win this tournament outright. For as much as she surprised last week, the idea that Kang will go back-to-back with another victory this week is a bit of a stretch. Here is a look at the important information you need to know ahead of the Arkansas Championship with a look at the best bets for this tournament.
Past Five Winners
2017: So-Yeon Ryu -18
2016: Lydia Ko -17
2015: Na Yeon Choi -15
2014: Stacy Lewis -12
2013: Inbee Park -12
What To Know About The Course
There have been three past instances in which a golfer has recorded a round of 10-under at the Pinnacle Country Club. Each of the last two winners has won with scores of 17-under or better and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this tournament is another birdie fest. Power won’t be an important factor this week but Accuracy off the tee and Putting will be extremely important. The golfer that does the best job on the fairways and on the greens will emerge victorious at the Arkansas Championship.
The Field
Ariya Jutanugarn has never won the Arkansas Championship but she will be the favorite to pick up the victory this week at +700 odds. 2013 winner Inbee Park is right behind her according to the sports betting odds at +800 odds. After that there is a bit of a drop off with Lexi Thompson, Moriya Jutanugarn and the defending tournament champion So-Yeon Ryu in the mix ranging from +1400 odds to +1600 odds. 2016 winner Lydia Ko rounds out the list of favorites to win this year with some sites listing her as low as +1200 odds while other sportsbooks still have her available at +1600 odds.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Inbee Park over Lexi Thompson
Park won this tournament back in 2012 and is certainly trending in the right direction with top-10 finishes in four of her last five starts overall. There is a good chance she delivers another one this week at a course where she has had some success. Thompson is coming off back-to-back top-10 finishes but she had struggled with consistency earlier in the year and could be vulnerable this week. At the very least, Park should be able to finish ahead of her in the head-to-head sports betting matchup in the Arkansas Championship this week.
Top-Five Pick: Moriya Jutanugrn
Jutanugarn is another golfer that is absolutely on fire this season with eight top-10 finishes to her name already this year. The younger of the Jutanugarn sisters finished ninth at the Meijer LPGA Classic and should be well rested and focused heading in to this tournament. At decent betting odds, Jutanugarn should be a good pick to place in the top-five at the Arkansas Championship this week.
