Manulife LPGA Classic Fantasy Picks

My fantasy picks for the Manulife LPGA Classic combine some predictable top performers with some riskier picks from a bit further down in the rankings. Whether you’re playing Ladies Dream Golf Pick-4 or LPGA Fantasy Golf (or both), the field this week has some excellent choices and some tough decisions.

With 16 of the top 25 players in the rankings in a field headlined by Ariya Jutanugarn, Lydia Ko, and Brooke Henderson, who do you put in the lead position? Henderson’s going to enjoy huge gallery support, Jutanugarn’s so hot there’s smoke coming out of her bag, and Ko delivered what was for her a mediocre game last week in Calgary and will be looking for some redemption this week in Ontario.

Whistle Bear Golf Club will provide a good testing ground for the field. The par 72 track will play 6613 yards. It’s a big, wide-open links course with 103 bunkers, water challenges on 10 holes, and some nasty rough. The players who can keep their balls in the short grass will have the advantage. The weather is looking to be just about perfect for golf with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s and a moderate wind, which will add an interesting twist to the game.

Group 1

While there are any number of strong players at the top of the field, I see this week shaping up up to be an epic three-way battle between Ariya Jutanugarn, Lydia Ko, and Brooke Henderson. Any of them would be a solid pick to lead your fantasy team to a finish on the front page of the board.

While it seems like a statistical improbability, I’m picking Ariya Jutanugarn to win again. Every aspect of her game is perfectly dialed in. She cruised so easily to that CP Women’s Open win last week that I don’t think she’s ready to slow down. But the fact of the matter is that with their salaries all set at 20 coins for the LPGA Fantasy Challenge, you can only afford one of the three unless you overload your team with 5 coin lightweights.

The oddsmakers also have In Gee Chun and Stacy Lewis in the mix at the top of the board at the Manulife. They’ve both been consistently in contention and they’re both hungry for a victory, so if you’re looking for an alternative to head up your team either of them would make a good pick.

Group 2

A bit further down in the field, I’m liking Charley Hull, who looked very good in Rio (even though she didn’t look good enough to medal), and Alison Lee, who seemed to be having a bit of a late-season recovery in Calgary. If you’re looking for a more traditional pick for your team, Karrie Webb showed very good game last week – maybe making up for losing her spot on the Aussie Olympic team?

Although you can only put one of them on your Ladies Dream Golf Pick-4 team, with 10 coin salaries, you can afford to put all three on your LPGA Fantasy Challenge team.

Group 3

I’m really liking two impressive rookies, Gaby Lopez or Megan Khang, for my Pick-4 team, and I can afford both for my LPGA Fantasy Challenge team!

Lopez hasn’t missed a cut since she stubbed her toe last March at the ANA Inspiration, she delivered a very respectable game in Rio, and she finished inside the top-25 last week in Calgary. Khang’s record is a bit more spotty but I keep looking at that T11 finish at the Ricoh Women’s British Open and thinking she could have a breakout week at any point. They’re both solid picks for a fantasy team.

Katie Burnett and Holly Clyburn are also in this group and with 5 coin salaries I think they’re undervalued and worth a look for your LPGA Fantasy Challenge team.

Group 4

Stephanie Meadow is finally recovering her game. Meadow brings an incredible talent to the tee and looks to be finally finding her balance and rhythm. It may not be enough to avoid Q-School but I think she’s going to do it again this week in Ontario. But if you’re shying away from the Irish girl, give Joanna Klatten, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Lorie Kane – who’s playing on a sponsor invite – and Alejendra Llaneza a look.

The Canadians, LeBlanc and Kane, are going to get a boost from the fans. Klatten plays a powerful game and if her putter is working she’ll be competitive. Llaneza is a bit more risky. She has a good game but she’s struggled to make the transition from the Symetra Tour to the big stage.

In short, given the course layout – long and wide open – I’m thinking the long hitters will have the advantage this week. If that’s the case, look for Jutanugarn, Henderson, Hull, and Klatten to dominate.

Cover Photo via Twitter