The 2024 US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club has proven to be a challenging event for many of the top players in women’s golf. This year’s tournament saw numerous star names fail to make the cut, including World No.1 Nelly Korda, former Major winners, and Solheim Cup stars.
Nelly Korda, who has enjoyed a remarkable year with six victories, including a Major, fell short of the cut line by two strokes after a disastrous 10 on the par 3 12th during the first round. Despite her recent success, this marked her third missed cut in five US Women’s Open appearances.
Linn Grant, a Swedish Solheim Cup star, also experienced disappointment after dropping seven strokes in the second round to miss the cut by a single stroke. This was only her second missed cut in 11 Major appearances, with her last one dating back to the 2018 Women’s British Open.
Former World No.1 and two-time Major winner Ariya Jutanugarn struggled to find her form, with her last top-10 finish in a Major dating back to the 2017 ANA Inspiration. Similarly, Irish star Leona Maguire, who boasts two LPGA Tour victories, missed the cut after a disappointing second round.
Rose Zhang, highly anticipated to perform well, played herself out of the championship in the first round with a nine-over-par 79, marking her second consecutive Major cut of 2024. Korean player In Gee Chun, who won her maiden Major title at Lancaster in 2015, couldn’t replicate her previous success, missing the cut by four strokes.
Defending champion Alissen Corpuz, two-time Major winner Brooke Henderson, former ANA Inspiration champion Jennifer Kupcho, and veteran Lydia Ko, just one point away from the LPGA Hall of Fame, also failed to make the cut. Additionally, Lexi Thompson, an 11-time LPGA winner and six-time Solheim Cup player, who announced her retirement from full-time professional golf earlier this week, missed the cut by five strokes.
The cut line at the US Women’s Open is set at eight-over, allowing only the top-performing players to advance to the final rounds. This year’s tournament saw a significant number of big names fall short, indicating the challenging nature of the competition.
The tournament’s high level of difficulty was exemplified by the gruelling 12th hole, where players faced numerous challenges, including intimidating wait times and tough shot selections. The statistics reveal that this 161-yard par 3 posed the toughest test to over 150 of the world’s best female players, leading to more triples or worse scores than birdies.
The US Women’s Open has always been an event that demands the best from its competitors, and this year was no exception. Despite the disappointment of missing the cut, the event showcased the resilience and determination of the players who faced the rigorous challenges of Lancaster Country Club.
In conclusion, the 2024 US Women’s Open proved to be a formidable test for many of the top names in women’s golf, with 11 prominent players missing the cut. The tournament highlighted the unforgiving nature of professional golf and the exceptional skill required to compete at the highest level.
Source: golfmonthly.com