The Surprising Names Who Missed the 2025 Open Championship Cut

Hey there, golf fans! If you’ve been keeping an eye on The Open this week, you know how thrilling and unpredictable the game can be. Earlier, we took a look at the odds and discussed the top contenders. But now, let’s dive into some shocking news: several big names will be heading home early from Royal Portrush. Let’s break it down!

Brooks Koepka: What Happened?

Brooks Koepka, a four-time major champion, was definitely one to watch. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t find his rhythm this week. After a rough finish on Thursday with three bogeys in the last three holes, he ended up struggling to bounce back on Friday. His rounds of 75 and 74 left him outside the cut line, which is a real surprise given his usual strong performance in majors.

Collin Morikawa: Off His Game

Next up is Collin Morikawa. Known for his pristine ball-striking, Morikawa looked almost out of sorts all week. After carding a 75 on day one, his Friday round didn’t get any better with a 74. A tough front nine on Friday, scoring a 38, seemed to shake his confidence. Golf can be a fickle beast, and this time, it just didn’t work out for him.

Cameron Smith: The Wheels Fell Off

How about Cameron Smith, the reigning champion from 2022? He started with a solid opening round of 72 but completely fell apart during the second round. He struggled to keep it together, scoring a 41 on the front nine after making the turn. Despite being in decent shape initially, his final score of 78 had him well outside the cut. Bummer!

Adam Scott: Royal Portrush’s Challenges

The legendary Adam Scott didn’t have a great outing either. Playing at Royal Portrush is no joke; the gusts and tight lies can really challenge even the best players. Scott’s second round of 79 included three double bogeys, which is just tough to come back from. It’s always disappointing to see a player like him miss the weekend.

Patrick Cantlay: Almost Made It

Patrick Cantlay looked promising for most of Friday. Unfortunately, he stumbled with bogeys on 11 and 15, which made the cut line feel almost unreachable at that point. Although he finished strong with a birdie on 18, it simply wasn’t enough. His rounds of 73 and 72 left him just outside the cut, leaving fans wanting more.

Tom Kim: A Glimmer of Hope

Now let’s talk about Tom Kim. After an impressive opening round of 69, there was a glimmer of hope for him. Sadly, a round of +5 with a double bogey on 18 turned things around quickly. He couldn’t recover from bogeys on 11 and 14 either, which ended his chances of making the weekend. What a rollercoaster!

Jason Day: The Final Push

Jason Day was right on the edge, just a shot off the cut line between rounds. His second day was quite the battle. He managed to snag a birdie at 17, giving him a brief glimmer of hope. Still, starting with a +1 on the front nine proved too much to come back from. It’s tough when you’re that close to making it but still fall short.

Joaquin Niemann: A Tough Front Nine

Joaquin Niemann experienced a similar fate. The young star had a rough go on the front nine Friday, and he struggled to find his rhythm again. After some hopeful birdies on 10 and 12, his game fell apart with bogeys on 13, 15, and 18, finishing at +2. Just one shy of the cut line—it’s hard not to feel for him!

Ben Griffin: A Rally That Fell Short

Ben Griffin started off shaky with a 74 but showed signs of life on Friday, making four birdies. Yet, he couldn’t overcome the earlier mistake of a double bogey on the fourth hole. His comeback was impressive, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. Missing the cut by just one shot? That’s gotta sting!

Other Notable Cuts

And let’s not forget about some other notable players who also found themselves packing their bags early. Names like Cameron Young, Min Woo Lee, J.T. Poston, and even veteran Padraig Harrington are heading home, unable to tackle the challenges Royal Portrush presented.

In conclusion, The Open Championship never fails to deliver its share of surprises, reminding us just how unpredictable golf can be. While some of our favorite players won’t see the weekend, we’re still geared up for an exciting final round with those who made the cut. Stay tuned, and let’s see who’ll come out on top!