The 2026 Kroger Queen City Championship takes place on the LPGA Tour from May 14-17, with a strong field heading to Cincinnati.
It will be the tournament’s first time played at Maketewah Country Club as the event shifts to a spring date and a new venue for 2026.
Maketewah’s historic, tree‑lined layout replacing the tournament’s previous autumn slot and gives the championship a fresh look on the 2026 LPGA calendar.
It was last staged in September at TPC River’s Bend in Hamilton Township when Charley Hull defeated Jeeno Thitikul by a shot.
World No.1 Nelly Korda heads the betting market after winning the Riviera Maya Open for her 18th LPGA title, while Thitikul is the clear second favourite after victory last week.
A 144‑player field features 33 of the top 50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and 21 major champions makes this one of the strongest renewals in the event’s short history.
Current Kroger Queen City Championship 2026 Betting Odds
| Player | Betting Odds |
|---|---|
| Nelly Korda | +325 (9/4) |
| Jeeno Thitikul | +850 (17/2) |
| Ruoning Yin | +1100 (11/1) |
| Miyu Yamashita | +1700 (17/1) |
| Hae Ran Ryu | +2100 (21/1) |
| Charley Hull | +2300 (23/1) |
| Ina Yoon | +2300 (23/1) |
| Hye Jin Choi | +2300 (23/1) |
Leading 2026 Kroger Queen City Championship Contenders
Nelly Korda
Nelly Korda arrives in Ohio as the clear favourite after capturing the Chevron Championship and Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba for back‑to‑back wins and the 17th and 18th LPGA title of her career.
The world No.1 has been installed is dominant in the betting, underlining both her dominance and the respect oddsmakers have for her current run of form.
Korda’s blend of length, towering iron play and improved putting makes her the obvious player to beat even on a new venue making its championship debut on the LPGA schedule.
If she adjusts quickly to Maketewah’s classical demands, she has every chance of extending her winning streak again this weekend.
Jeeno Thitikul
Jeeno Thitikul heads the chasing pack and comes into the week as the clear second favourite behind Korda in most markets.
The Thai star’s consistency in elite fields and balanced all‑round game make her an especially attractive contender on a course where patience and precision should matter.
Thitikul has shown repeatedly that she can contend without needing to overpower a golf course, which could prove valuable on a tree‑lined layout that asks plenty of positional questions.
If she gets into rhythm early, she looks the most likely player to give Korda a genuine test over 72 holes as Thitikul looks to add to last week’s win in the Mizuho Americas Open.
Ruoning Yin
Ruoning Yin sits third in the market and brings major‑championship pedigree to Cincinnati as one of the deepest talents in women’s golf.
Her combination of quality ball‑striking and scoring ability makes her an obvious threat in an event where the strength of field is closer to a premium LPGA stop than a routine tour week.
Yin’s profile suggests she should be comfortable on a course that rewards strong approach play and composed decision‑making rather than all‑out attack.
After finishing runner-up to Thitikul last week, she looks one of the more appealing alternatives to the top two in the betting.
Miyu Yamashita
Miyu Yamashita profiles as a quietly strong contender for the Kroger Queen City Championship, particularly for those looking beyond the very shortest prices.
The Japanese star’s game is built around accuracy, disciplined course management and sharp approach play, all of which should translate well to a classic, strategic layout like Maketewah.
She has already shown she can travel and compete in strong LPGA fields, and a set‑up that rewards precision over brute power ought to play into her strengths.
If she can convert enough of the chances she creates and keep big numbers off the card, Yamashita has every chance of turning a solid week into a serious run at the title.
Hae Ran Ryu
Hae Ran Ryu continues to command plenty of respect in the market and is priced among the leading contenders for another big LPGA week.
Her tee‑to‑green consistency and calm tournament management have made her one of the most reliable players in strong fields over the last year.
A new venue can sometimes favour players with adaptable, balanced games, and Ryu fits that description as well as almost anyone in this field.
If she putts well enough to capitalise on her birdie looks, she has the profile to be a major factor on Sunday.
Charley Hull
Defending champion Charley Hull will almost certainly be on plenty of shortlists for the Kroger Queen City Championship, with her aggressive style always making her a dangerous proposition when she finds a spark.
Fresh off another stretch of solid form on both sides of the Atlantic, the English star brings the kind of birdie-making ability that can flip a leaderboard in the space of just a few holes.
Her length off the tee and high‑quality iron play should give her plenty of scoring opportunities if she adapts quickly to Maketewah’s tree‑lined, positional test.
When the putter cooperates, Hull has one of the highest ceilings in the women’s game, and she looks more than capable of contending again in Cincinnati this week.
Ina Yoon
Ina Yoon is another name towards the top of the odds board, with bookmakers rating her as a serious contender rather than a speculative outsider.
That price reflects a growing belief that her all‑round game can stand up in stronger events, especially on layouts that demand control more than raw power.
The move to Maketewah could suit players capable of staying disciplined and avoiding mistakes, and that gives Yoon a credible route into contention.
If she starts quickly and settles into the new venue, she has the chance to turn a solid week into a genuine title challenge.
Hye Jin Choi
Hye Jin Choi completes the leading group of favourites and offers proven class at a slightly bigger number than some of the headline names above her.
She remains one of the more polished all‑round players in the field, with the kind of controlled ball flight and tidy short game that usually travel well to unfamiliar courses.
On a layout expected to reward smart positioning and a strong approach game, Choi looks well equipped to work her way onto the leaderboard.
She has the look of a player who could easily outperform her price in Cincinnati this week.
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