By: Max Bechtoldt
The most unique format on the LPGA Tour schedule is back at the Dow Championship in Midland, Michigan. This event brings two LPGA Tour players together to form teams, instead of competing as individuals. Teams will play two day of foursomes and two days of fourball to determine the champions. Here are the five teams I think are most likely to win the Dow Championship:
No. 5 – Atthaya Thitikul & Ruoning Yin: While world No. 4 Ruoning Yin hasn’t had a great season so far based on her talent level, just having two top-10 finishes, Thitikul has been terrific. The No. 12 player in the Rolex Rankings has played just seven times but has notched four top-eight finishes. This is a young team that on paper feels like it should be highly competitive.
No. 4 – Celine Boutier & Yuka Saso: These two on the surface may seem like a bit of an odd couple, but it worked for them in 2023 where they finished in a tie for third. Since that time both have won a major championship (Boutier at the 2023 Evian and Saso at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open). The two have games that compliment each other well and it seems like they have a lot of fun on the course.
No. 3 – Matilda Castren & Kelly Tan: These two have come so close the last couple of years to winning, one would have to believe that they will be in contention again. Despite not being nearly as big names as the others on this list, they have clear chemistry having gotten close during their time on the Epson Tour. They play essentially every practice round together, which is a major advantage considering the caddies know each other’s games. Castren and Tan have finished runner-up in 2022 and 2023, no better time than the present to finally get that trophy.
No. 2 – Linn Grant & Carlota Ciganda: These two worked really well together at the 2023 Solheim Cup, dominating the four ball sessions going 2-0, including a win that was 4&2. They do have to play foursomes this week, which we haven’t seen out of them, but if they play well you have to figure we will see more pairings in September. These were arguably the two Solheim Cup MVPs in 2023, so expect this group to come into this event with great vibes.
No. 1 – Jin Young Ko & Nasa Hataoka: Pretty easily the best team on paper, Jin Young Ko looks in form now which is super scary. These two have the most combined LPGA Tour wins (21) and some of the most experience as well. While Hataoka is coming off a missed cut that resulted in her missing the Japanese Olympic team, Ko looked in form, finishing runner up and moving to No. 3 in the Rolex Rankings. While the big name groups often disappoint in this event, expect big things from these two.
