Steve Palmer's Olympics women's golf predictions & free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Olympics women's competition at Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Where to watch

Starts 11.30pm Tuesday with coverage on BBC One, BBC red button and Eurosport

Best bets

Danielle Kang
2pts each-way 14-1 general

Patty Tavatanakit
1.5pts each-way 18-1 general

Leona Maguire
1pt each-way 22-1 general

Gaby Lopez
0.5pt each-way 66-1 Hills

Tournament preview

A golfing gold has already been handed out in Japan – Xander Schauffele claimed glory in the men's competition – and this week it is the turn of the planet's finest female players to show off their skills at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama.

The East Course at Kasumigaseki will again take centre stage, with the yardage reduced by about 800 yards to 6,648, and world number one Nelly Korda is clear favourite for victory. Korda, who turned 23 last week, has won three times this year, including a Major, and America is expecting her to deliver a medal.

Bookmakers are fully aware of Korda's menace, though, and have chalked up extremely short odds, so preference is for better value alternatives for a 60-runner event with decent each-way terms.

The relatively straightforward Kasumigaseki layout was butchered by the men last week, and the women should make merry as well. Danielle Kang seems a prime candidate to card four rounds in the 60s and upstage her compatriot Korda.

Kang showed her intent to be an Olympics force by skipping the Evian Championship – a Major in France – the week before last. Kang wanted to keep herself fresh for Japan and allow herself time to prepare properly for her medal quest.

The Butch Harmon-coached Californian is a solid putter who finished fifth in her last Major, the PGA Championship. Kang, who has Korean parents and has won two LPGA Tour events in China, has been relishing her trip to the Far East and can turn it into a joyous one.

Another strong putter who skipped the Evian in a bid to peak for this event is Patty Tavatanakit. The 21-year-old Thai became a Major champion in April, winning the ANA Inspiration, and she tied for fifth alongside Kang in the PGA Championship. She turned pro only last year and is still improving.

There was no joy for Rory McIlroy or Shane Lowry at Kasumigaseki last week, but Leona Maguire provides Ireland with a great medal hope. The 26-year-old, a former world number one amateur, signed off from the Evian Championship last time out with a final-round 61, matching the lowest ever round in a golf Major by a male or female player.

And Gaby Lopez is also worth including in the staking plan. The Mexican, a flag-bearer in the Olympics opening ceremony, has been bursting with enthusiasm for the Games all year and, like Kang and Tavatanakit, opted out of the Evian to prepare thoroughly for Japan. The 27-year-old made her LPGA breakthrough in China in 2018.

The tournament is scheduled to start at 11.30pm UK and Ireland time on Tuesday.

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