BELMONT, Mich. — The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give has seen the best golfers in the world perform at elite levels year after year.
But this year’s tournament at Blythefield Country Club has been particularly tough for the big names on the LPGA Tour.
Several missed the cut, and with some of the top players like Jin Young Ko and Nelly Korda – the top two in the world rankings – and upstart Rose Zhang not in the field, the weekend will be missing some star power.
The only top 10 players to make the cut were Hyo Joo Kim, Minjee Lee – and Brooke Henderson, who had to birdie 18 to make the cut.
Henderson faced an uphill battle after bogeying holes 3-5. But a birdie on 18 was enough to survive.
“Yeah, you know, it’s really amazing this tournament how many people come out to support us girls, and it’s just so much fun to play in front of these big crowds. I’m really fortunate that this involves a lot of personal connections to me, a lot really cute little ones and family and friends. Yeah, no, it’s really important, especially that I’m playing the weekend and hopefully just play a little better now,” Henderson said. “It took a while for the birdies to fall, but it was nice to get one on 12 and then to finish 18 hitting the green in two. Took a big deep breath and said, ‘OK, now just two-putt.’”
The cut line was 2-under after two rounds.
Japan’s Ayaka Furue took the lead with a 5-under on Friday. She’s at 11-under through two rounds. Amy Yang, Hyo Joo Kim, Leona Maguire and Carlota Ciganda are one shot back at 10-under. Defending champion Jennifer Kupcho is two back at 9-under, along with Lindsey Weaver-Wright, Minjee Lee, Manon De Roey, Aditi Ashok and Emily Kristine Pedersen
Here are the big names who missed the cut: