Kool Korda
The favourite to come away with Olympic gold this week is the defending champion Nelly Korda, who is priced up at 9/2. The American is the World Number One, and her game has really taken off over the last couple of years. In 2024, her form has been solid, and she claimed the second major of her career when winning the Chevron Championship in April. Though she commands respect, this is a competitive field, and I am happy to look elsewhere and take a couple at bigger prices.
Gold For Ko?
Lydia Ko is likely to have her backers this week. She has been on the medal podium at the last two Olympics since golf was reintroduced back in 2016. The New Zealander arrives here in reasonable shape after she recorded an eighth-place finish at the CP Women’s Open. She will be a danger to all if she’s on her A-Game, and at 35/1, she’s worth a saver.
French Fancy
One player who I really think could step up this week is Celine Boutier from France. She’s been a little quiet this year, just making cuts without threatening to win. However, playing in front of a home crowd could help her, as we’ve seen plenty of French athletes perform out of their skin at the Olympics. Furthermore, she’s got proven experience winning on home soil, as she won the Evian Championship last year and the Open de France Dames in 2021, so she knows how to deal with the pressure. At 22/1, she makes plenty of appeal.
Stark Can Strike
My flyer for the week comes in the form of Maja Stark for Sweden. The 24-year-old has done very well since she turned pro in 2021, and she has already recorded six wins on the European Ladies Tour. Moreover, her game this year has started to come together, especially at the majors, where she finished second behind Nelly Korda at the Chevron Championship. It appears she’s coming under the radar here at 60/1, and I think that is a little too big.
Olympics Women’s Golf Shortlist
Celine Boutier EW (22/1)
Lydia Ko EW (35/1)
Maja Stark EW (60/1)