PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — While a relative unknown American rookie paces the field at the 78th U.S. Women’s Open, a bevy of top names are headed home early from an historic week at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The most shocking of all: World No. 1 Jin Young Ko.
Ko came into the week with 18 of 36 rounds this season in the 60s. No one could’ve predicted the opening 79 that followed.
The first-round scoring average of 75.5 climbed even higher in Round 2 at 76.07. The cut fell at 6 over, with 74 players advancing to the weekend.
Bailey Tardy paces the field at 7 under, with only six players finishing the first two rounds under par.
Here’s a look at other notables who missed the cut at Pebble Beach.
One day after world No. 1 Ko carded her worst round of the season, a 7-over 79, she could only muster a 72 in the second round. The ultra-consistent Ko hit only 17 fairways and 18 greens over the course of two rounds. It’s her first missed cut in a major since the 2022 AIG Women’s British Open.
Jin Young Ko hits an approach shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Danielle Kang’s second-round 78 pushed outside the cut line after she shot 40 on the front side with a double on the par-5 second. Kang hit only 17 greens over the course of two days.
Danielle Kang of the United States lines up her putt on the 17th green during the second round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 07, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Anna Nordqvist, a three-time major winner who was enamored with Pebble Beach from the start, didn’t get any love in return as the Swede missed the cut by a stroke. Nordqvist shot 78-73, ranking 122nd in strokes gained approach.
Anna Nordqvist of Sweden waits with her caddie Shaun Clews before playing her second shot on the fourth hole during the second round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 07, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Atthaya Thitikul’s back-to-back rounds of 76 included only three birdies on the week. The former No. 1 finished nearly last in the field in strokes gained putting. She didn’t finish out side the top 25 in all five majors last year.
Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand waits on the fourth green during the first round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 06, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Thompson is having a tough season. She has missed the cut in four of her six starts, and her best finish is T-31. She struggled on Friday, shooting 7-over 79.
Lexi Thompson reacts after her putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jennifer Kupcho’s major championship woes continue as the 2022 Chevron Championship missed her third cut of the season after rounds of 76-77. Kupcho finished 140th in strokes gained putting for the week.
Jennifer Kupcho of the United States plays her second shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 07, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Georgia Hall missed her second major championship cut in three weeks. The Englishwoman shot 76-7, ranking 114th in strokes gained short game.
Georgia Hall of England walks across the fifth green during the second round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 07, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The two-time major winner, including the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open, will remain in search for her first win in nearly two years after rounds of 76 and 78.
Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand plays her shot from the 15th tee during the second round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 07, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Considering Olson is seven months pregnant with her first child, it’s incredible she was able to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open in the first place. She was two shots better on Friday, shooting 5-over 77.
Amy Olson hits out of the bunker on the third hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Shibuno won the AIG Women’s British Open in 2019, but she has missed the cut in two of the three majors this year. She had two rounds of 79.
Hinako Shibuno of Japan looks on after chipping on the fifth green during the second round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 07, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Michelle Wie West tees off on the tenth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Link. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
In what was Wie West’s final professional start (and first since last year’s U.S. Women’s Open), she had matching rounds of 7-over 79. Yet the highlight was her incredible par putt on the 18th hole.
What a way to go out for Michelle Wie West 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JUQTpKlpev
— Golfweek (@golfweek) July 8, 2023
Sorenstam could have played her final major at Pebble Beach, and in a pairing with Wie West, it was full of moments fans are sure to never forget. The three-time U.S. Women’s Open winner carded was one shot better Friday with a 79.
Annika Sorenstam tees off on the tenth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Link. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Since winning the Chevron in April, Vu has missed the cut in three of her four starts, including at the KPMG Women’s PGA. Vu struggled at Pebble Beach, carding rounds of 79 and 82.
Lilia Vu waits with her caddie Cole Pensanti before playing her second shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 06, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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