The LPGA Tour shifts to Portland, Oregon this week for the Cambia Portland Classic from the Columbia Edgewater Country Club. This tournament is usually played in late August but it was moved in order to accommodate the scheduling for the 2016 Rio Olympics. That’s not the only event that has been re-routed due to the international competition. The European Tour’s Open de France has to be pushed to this week overseas in Europe as well.
Canadian Brooke Henderson will look to successfully defend her title after stealing the spotlight here a year ago when she won the tournament as a 17-year-old. She’s been one of the hottest golfers on the tour this year but of course, as per usual, she’s been overshadowed by Lydia Ko. She has had a Tiger Woods-like run on the golf scene over the last year and a half, and she added another trophy to her collection with a win last weekend. The good news for Henderson is that Ko will not be playing at this event. Also absent is rookie sensation Ariya Jutanugarn.
Event Details
Event: Cambia Portland Classic
Category: LPGA
Date: June 30- July 3
Location: Columbia Edgewater Country Club, Portland, Oregon
Henderson became the third-youngest champion in LPGA Tour history when she won this event at 17 years, 11 months and six days. Henderson bested the record set by Lydia Ko when she captured her first ever LPGA Tour title. Successfully defending her championship won’t be easy even with a number of golfers taking this week off in preparation for the U.S. Women’s Open. We’ll see who has their eye on the prize this week and who is looking ahead. Some players may put up duds just because the big fish is next week, so keep that in mind for betting purposes.
Past Five Winners
2015: Brooke Henderson -21
2014: Austin Ernst -14
2013: Suzann Pettersen -20
2012: Mika Miyazato -13
2011: Suzann Pettersen -6
What To Know About The Course
Henderson’s accuracy and putting ability made the difference in last year’s Portland Classic when she blew the field away with an eight-stroke victory. Driving Accuracy, Greens in Regulation and Putting will once again be the key categories to keep an eye on this week but don’t expect anybody to match Henderson’s total from a year ago.
The Field
Henderson will lead a solid group of contenders at the Portland Classic this week where the average age of the winners is 21.12. Anna Nordqvist is the only winner this season over the age of 23 and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the LPGA’s youth movement continued this week. Six of the top-10 players in the Rolex Rankings are 23-years-old or younger and even with some notable absences this week there will be some strong contenders including a long list of qualifiers looking to make an impact the way Henderson did in 2015.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Suzann Pettersen over Anna Nordqvist
The two-time Portland Classic winner Pettersen is on a bit of a roll after posting three consecutive top-25 finishes and there is a good chance she delivers with at least a top-10 finish at a course where she has had some success in the past. That should be good enough to beat out Nordqvist, who is bound to cool down eventually. Nordqvist has placed in the top-15 at four straight events including the LPGA Classic so look for her to slip a bit with Pettersen a strong pick in the head-to-head betting matchup this week.
Top Five Pick: Brooke Henderson
Henderson has placed in the top-10 in 10 of her 21 starts since winning the Portland Classic a year ago including her first major win at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Henderson ranks third on the LPGA Tour money list for 2016 and there is every reason to think she will continue to roll as the best player in a limited field. Henderson dominated here as a 17-year-old a year ago and with another full year of experience and confidence she should thrive again at the Portland Classic this week.
Top 10 Odds To Win The Cambia Portland Classic
Brooke M Henderson +650
Anna Nordqvist +905
Stacy Lewis +1015
Suzann Pettersen +1015
Lizette Salas +1850
Morgan Pressel +2050
Candie Kung +2250
Chella Choi +2250
Carlota Ciganda +2250
Cristie Kerr +2550
