Rose Zhang, a year after recording three top 10s in the majors in her first pro season, understood the significance of the feat. And its difficulty.
Majors, she said, ain’t minor.
“Yeah, last year I mean, all the majors, they always play tough,” Zhang said Tuesday. “There is a reason they’re called major championships at prestigious venues. These venues in particular really challenge all parts of one’s game.
“So being able to really understand course management, understand commitment when you’re out there with your game plan, it’s all just part of being able to perform well when you’re at a major level.”
Unfortunately for Zhang, she was as accurate in her assessment as she typically is in her ball-striking. This week, at the Chevron Championship, the year’s first major, The Club at Carlton Woods sliced and diced her to the tune of rounds of two-over 74 and three-over 75, and she was among the notables to miss the cut set at two-over.
That despite being 21st in the world.
That despite being the LPGA’s next-big-thing.
That despite what she knew going in. Presumably, at least, the letdown won’t be severe.
With that, here are eight other surprising players who missed the cut on Friday at the Chevron Championship, where Jin Hee Im and Atthaya Thitikul lead at eight-under.
Surprising players who missed the cut at the Chevron Championship
8. Lexi Thompson
What she shot: 78-74
Surprising because: The popular Thompson has more firepower than anyone. But she opened her tournament this way: bogey, double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey.
7. Hannah Green
What she shot: 77-72
Surprising because: The world No. 16 is already a winner this year. But she also started slow, going double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey over her first four holes.
6. Alison Lee
What she shot: 78-70
Surprising because: One of Fred Couples’ favorite players was as hot as anyone at the end of last year. But the world No. 14 couldn’t overcome seven bogeys during her first round.
5. Megan Khang
What she shot: 76-71
Surprising because: She was one of the stars of last year’s Solheim Cup, going 3-0-1. But the world No. 13 was doomed by a birdie-less first round.
4. Hyo-Joo Kim
What she shot: 75-77
Surprising because: The world No. 9 hadn’t missed a cut since 2022. But nine bogeys and two double bogeys were costly.
3. Jin Young Ko
What she shot: 76-71
Surprising because: The former world No. 1 can win anywhere. But four bogeys and a double bogey in the first round hurt.
2. Minjee Lee
What she shot: 74-77
Surprising because: She’s a two-time major winner and the current world No. 5. But a one-birdie second round was costly.
1. Celine Boutier
What she shot: 75-73
Surprising because: She’s the winner of last year’s Evian Championship and the world No. 3. But she carded just three birdies over two rounds.
