2024 U.S Women’s Open Cutline Prediction: Nelly Korda & Other World Leaders’ Major Fate Explored

The Lancaster Golf and Country Club has played like a ‘beast’. And, if the 161-yard par-3 12th hole wasn’t enough, the relatively short 6th has added to the woe for LPGA pros. Yesterday, Nelly Korda, who has been on a stellar run, netting six titles in seven tournaments, carded a septuple bogey on the 12th. She was one of the 13 golfers to card worse than a double-bogey on the 12th at the U.S. Women’s Open. 

Predictably, the projected cutline is high. Only four players broke par yesterday. In the 156-player field, 146 were over par. The streak of over-par rounds has continued, which keeps the projected cutline at 6-over on the LPGA’s official website. But the +6 cutline can pose a stiff challenge to even the top of the crop. The top 60 and ties will move on to the final two rounds. Let’s take a look at some of the big names who are sweating it out at the cutline.

Can Nelly Korda make the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open?

Nelly Korda, in the post-round presser, admitted to having committed a few mistakes. Her short game fell agonizingly short of her massive standards. After finishing Thursday at 10-over, the World’s No. 1 golfer will have to shoot under par to keep some hopes alive. Her USGA record doesn’t exactly bolster the hopes; last year, she shot 8 over 80 at Pebble Beach. 

Will Lexi Thompson crash out early?

Lexi Thompson’s LPGA journey kicked off at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open. So far, the Herton S. Semple trophy has eluded the 11-time LPGA Tour winner. And, it appears, she will have to leave empty-handed on possibly her last appearance at the National Major. After an 8-over opening round, Thompson made six bogeys and a birdie to card 5-over.

In the post-round interview, the 29-year-old was asked what would she tell her 12-year-old self. “Embrace every shot you hit. Every tournament you tournament you have.  Just be grateful for everything that you have in your life. Enjoy every experience that you get to make and just being out here.”

Will Lydia Ko have to wait for Hall of Fame glory?

The Kiwi International is just one point away from entering the LPGA Hall of Fame. Ko, like Korda, finished at 10-over, courtesy of six bogeys, a double bogey, and another triple bogey. The two-time Major champion is also in a similar spot as Nelly Korda, keeping her eyes and ears towards the cutline. Ko is 1-over through the fifth hole as of the moment the report went to publication.

What about Rose Zhang at the U.S. Women’s Open?

Rose Zhang finished one shot better than Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko. But three birdies in the second round were undone by two bogeys and a double bogey. The two-time LPGA Tour winner is likely to miss the cut in his second appearance at the major. Zhang was T9 last year at Pebble Beach. After Friday, the Stanford product is 11-over-tied for the 114th spot. 

What about the defending champion? 

Allisen Corpuz opened with a 5-over 75. The defending champion opened her second round with a bogey on the 10th. The 26-year-old might book a weekend spot if she can avoid bogeys. Corpuz was also a victim of the 12th, but she got away with a triple-bogey.

On the other hand, Asterisk Talley, the youngest golfer in the field, posted a 1-over through 36 holes to make the cut. Minjee Lee, a former champion who looks to add more U.S. Women’s Open titles to her resume, sits atop the leaderboard. Unless a disaster strikes, Australia is well into the weekend. Whereas, Brooke Henderson and Hannah Green are both in a tough spot. Henderson is 12-over, and Green has a faint ray of hope at +7.