The LPGA Tour returns to South Jersey this weekend for the 2026 ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Running from May 29th to 31st at Seaview Golf Club's historic Bay Course, the event features a fresh tournament look, elevated stakes, and a competitive field.
This year, 144 of the world's top golfers are vying for an event-record $2 million purse — up 14.3% over last year's tournament prize pool. The financial boost underscores a growing organizational commitment to expanding economic opportunities in women's golf.
The increased purse will likely benefit a new LPGA champion, as no one has successfully defended a ShopRite LPGA title since Anna Nordqvist's back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016. In fact, 14 different golfers have hoisted the trophy since 2010.
Key LPGA Players to Watch ion the ShopRite Leaderboard
This year, defending champion Jennifer Kupcho leads a pack of past winners eager to snap the tournament's decade-long trend.
Among the leaderboard is 2022 champion Brooke Henderson, who posted 7-under-par or better in three of her first four LPGA events this season. Henderson also ranks 11th in driving accuracy at 77.27%, a statistical edge on Seaview's narrow layouts.
Several rising stars add even more depth to the 2026 ShopRite field.
World No. 15 Hye-Jin Choi arrives with three Top 10 finishes this season, backed by the Tour's fourth-most sub-par rounds. Second-year Australian pro Cassie Porter also brings momentum, tallying four Top 30 finishes through nine starts in 2026.
Elsewhere, fellow Australian Robyn Choi joins the field fresh off a tie for eighth place at the recent Kroger Queen City Championship.
However, missing from this year's tournament is US star Nelly Korda. The No. 1 finished eighth at the Queen City Championship earlier this month, and is taking a planned break before heading to the US Women's Open.
With a blend of veteran champions — including 43-year-old US legend Natalie Gulbis — and young talent, the 54-hole sprint promises to deliver the drama at the Jersey Shore.
