The 2026 LOTTE Championship takes place from October 1-4 at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, as the world’s best go head-to-head.
The LPGA Tour event returns to Hawaii with a 120-player field competing over 72 holes for a $3 million purse.
Hoakalei is an Ernie Els-designed par‑72 layout measuring 6,532 yards, and the exposed Hawaiian setting means wind can be a central factor.
The course should reward precise approach play and players able to take advantage of the par-5s without losing control when the breeze builds.
Jeeno Thitikul heads the market, closely followed by Miyu Yamashita and Hyo Joo Kim, while Akie Iwai, Nasa Hataoka and A Lim Kim form the leading chasing group.
Defending champion Youmin Hwang returns after her dramatic one-stroke win in 2025, but the top of the betting is packed with current form and world-ranking quality.
Current 2026 LOTTE Championship Betting Odds
| Player | Betting Odds |
|---|---|
| Jeeno Thitikul | 6.50 (13/2) |
| Miyu Yamashita | 7.50 (15/2) |
| Hyo Joo Kim | 9.00 (9/1) |
| Akie Iwai | 17.00 (17/1) |
| Nasa Hataoka | 17.00 (17/1) |
| A Lim Kim | 19.00 (19/1) |
Leading 2026 LOTTE Championship Contenders
Jeeno Thitikul
Jeeno Thitikul heads the market with the world No.2 the highest-ranked player in this week’s field and does not need to overpower Hoakalei to contend.
Her precise, highly adaptable all-round game makes her an obvious favourite at a venue where wind management and disciplined iron play should matter.
If she consistently places approaches on the correct sections of the greens and takes advantage of the accessible par 5s, she has the control and putting quality to become the player everyone else must catch.
Miyu Yamashita
Miyu Yamashita’s accurate, structured style looks exceptionally well suited to a course where avoiding poor positions in the wind is more valuable than raw distance.
If the conditions become breezier, the world No.5’s control and course management could become even more influential. She is a very credible alternative to the market leader.
Hyo Joo Kim
Hyo Joo Kim arrives as world No.4 and having already won twice during the 2026 LPGA Tour season.
Her elite iron play and calm temperament should translate well to Hoakalei, particularly if the tournament becomes a test of keeping the ball below the wind and attacking the right areas of the greens.
Kim lost out to Youmin Hwang by one shot in the 2025 edition, so she also returns with strong recent experience of the course.
If she produces another good putting week, she has every attribute needed to turn last year’s near miss into a victory.
Akie Iwai
Akie Iwai’s attacking approach and growing confidence on the LPGA Tour give her a real chance of making plenty of birdies on a layout where an assertive strategy can be rewarded in calmer conditions.
Iwai will need to balance that aggression if the breeze arrives, but she has enough power and shot-making ability to take advantage of Hoakalei’s scoring opportunities.
She is one of the most attractive high-ceiling names just outside the front three.
Nasa Hataoka
Nasa Hataoka brings substantial LPGA experience and dependable ball-striking into the week and is a lively contender.
Her measured, technical game should be useful on a coastal course where controlling trajectory and distance can be more important than simply attacking every flag.
Hataoka’s path to contention will likely come through consistent tee-to-green play and making enough putts to stay in touch with the more explosive scorers.
If the weather makes conditions harder, her discipline could become a major advantage.
A Lim Kim
A Lim Kim rounds out the highlighted group and is another player with the combination of length and resilience needed to contend in Hawaii.
She is ranked No.27 among this week’s entrants, but the market views her as a player capable of outperforming that position.
Kim can generate the power to take on the longer holes, but her success will rest on managing risk around the course’s exposed, wind-sensitive targets.
If she keeps big numbers off the card and makes the most of the par 5s, she has the talent to make a serious challenge.
James is an avid golfer and reviews golf equipment and new gear for GolfReviewsGuide.com as well as providing the latest golf news. You will find him on a golf course wherever possible.