The 2024 U.S. Women’s Open featured a star-studded list of players who missed the cut, including Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang, Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, and Allisen Corpuz. Korda, who entered the tournament with a historic heater of wins in six of her last seven starts, needed a birdie on the last hole to make the cut but fell short. Zhang, the number 6 player in the world, also missed the cut after a disappointing 79-72 performance. Henderson, known for rarely missing cuts, finished outside the top 60 after shooting 80-72.
Thompson, who announced her upcoming retirement from full-time competitive golf, missed the cut after three consecutive MCs. Ko, ranked 14th in the world, missed her second consecutive cut after starting the season with a win and a runner-up finish. Corpuz, the defending champ, won’t repeat her success after shooting 75-77.
It was surprising to see so many top players miss the cut, with top pros like Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, and Hannah Green finishing at seven-over par, while others like Jin Young Ko, Gabi Ruffels, and Hyo Joo Kim finished at eight over. Despite missing the cut, these players still have a chance to make a charge and get into contention over the weekend.
The absence of these star players leaves the U.S. Women’s Open without some of its biggest attractions. Korda’s early exit was particularly disappointing, as she was one of the favorites entering the tournament. Zhang’s missed cut was unexpected, given her recent success on the LPGA tour. Henderson’s early exit was surprising, considering her track record of making cuts. Thompson’s missed cut was emotional, as it came in the same week she announced her retirement.
For players like Ko and Corpuz, missing the cut was a setback after promising starts to the season. Despite their early exits, these players will have other opportunities to showcase their skills on the tour. The U.S. Women’s Open is known for its competitive field and the surprises that come with making the cut. With the top players missing the weekend, it opens up opportunities for other competitors to make a charge up the leaderboard. The halfway point of the tournament saw many big names heading home early, but for those who made the cut, the competition will continue to heat up as they vie for the title.
