By: Max Bechtoldt
The Dana Open is back for another year of LPGA Tour action in Toledo. The strength of field this week is one of the lowest on tour, especially coming off a major in Europe last week. Regardless, there are still some big names with a great chance to win this week. Here are my picks for the most likely players to contend at the 2024 Dana Open:
No. 5: Maja Stark – Maja Stark is just clearly one of the best golfers in the field this week. Though her early success this season, where she had three top-three finishes in a five-event stretch, she still can turn it on at any time. Against a weaker field, this could be the perfect opportunity for Stark to get back on track and win her second LPGA Tour event.
No. 4: Alexandra Försterling – Försterling, the four-time LET champion, is still looking for her first LPGA Tour win, one that would likely go a long way for her potential Solheim Cup selection. The 24-year-old from Germany hasn’t seen a lot of success on the LPGA Tour this year, especially as of late, but has two wins this year on the LET. A field like this could give way to another European LPGA Tour winner from Arizona State.
No. 3: Lexi Thompson – It would be so good to see Lexi get one last victory before her impending retirement. Before electing to not play in the Evian Championship, she had a fair amount of momentum on her side, with three consecutive top-10 finishes. Thompson is now rested more than a fair amount of the field and hopefully still in good form.
No. 2: Stephanie Kyriacou – Speaking of good form, Kyriacou finally showed the talent she has for four rounds, notching a solo second at Evian. She really should have at least made the playoff, if not for a brutal mistake on the 71st hole of the event. Now, after an emotional week in France, it could be tough to get back up for this standard event, but we know the game is there.
No. 1: Linn Grant – Of course, Linn Grant at her best isn’t just the top player in the field, but one of the top on the entire tour. She hasn’t shown that yet this season, with just two top-10 LPGA finishes, but she does have an LET win. Grant dominated in Toledo last season, nearly shooting a third round 59. She should have a lot of confidence as both a past champion, and an elite talent this week.
