Shockwaves at Women’s British Open: First-Round Leader Among Big Names Who Miss the Cut…Read More…
Troon, Scotland — The 2025 Women’s British Open has already delivered its fair share of drama, but few could have predicted the seismic shifts that unfolded as the field was cut heading into the weekend. Fans and analysts alike were left stunned as a string of high-profile golfers — including the tournament’s first-round leader — failed to make it past Friday’s cut at Royal Troon.
After a sensational opening round that saw Japan’s Ayaka Furue card a blistering 65 (-6), leading the field with precision and poise, many believed she was on track for a career-defining run. But the 24-year-old was the most shocking casualty on a day where several giants of the game were brought down by treacherous links conditions, erratic weather, and the relentless pressure of major championship golf.
From Leader to Spectator: Furue’s Collapse
Furue’s first round was nearly flawless — five birdies, an eagle, and nerves of steel. But Friday painted a different picture. Battling gusty coastal winds and a suddenly uncooperative short game, she stumbled to a 78 (+7), bringing her two-day total to +1 — narrowly outside the cut line, which settled at even par.
“I didn’t feel like I did much differently,” Furue said in a visibly emotional post-round interview. “The wind picked up, and I struggled with the pace of the greens. It hurts because I know I had a real chance here.”
Her story served as a sobering reminder of the volatility of links golf, where fortunes can change with the wind — quite literally.
Big Names, Bigger Surprises
Furue wasn’t the only headline name sent packing early. Reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso, world No. 3 Minjee Lee, and fan favorite Lexi Thompson also missed the cut in dramatic fashion.
Thompson, who had hinted at a resurgent form earlier in the summer, never looked comfortable at Troon. A pair of 74s (+3 total) sealed her exit, marking yet another frustrating early departure in a major.
“I wanted more, especially at a course like this,” she admitted. “But I couldn’t get any momentum. The course just didn’t allow mistakes, and I made too many.”
Minjee Lee, meanwhile, was uncharacteristically off with her irons and struggled mightily on the greens, finishing at +2 despite strong showings in recent tournaments. For a player of her caliber — already a two-time major champion — the result was deeply disappointing.
“I’ve played in all kinds of conditions, but today just got away from me,” Lee said. “I’ll regroup and get ready for the rest of the season.”
Winds of Change: Royal Troon Shows Its Teeth
While Thursday’s conditions offered a relatively tame welcome to the field, Friday was a different beast entirely. Wind gusts reached up to 25 mph, and swirling breezes wreaked havoc on club selection and shot shaping. Several bunkers turned into near-inescapable traps, and the greens — slick, sloping, and subtly deceptive — tested even the best putters in the world.
“It’s one of the hardest days of golf I’ve played in years,” said England’s Charley Hull, who managed to grind out a 71 and safely make the cut at -1. “You have to be sharp in every part of your game, and even then, luck plays a role.”
For many, Royal Troon proved why the Women’s British Open is such a revered and unpredictable major. Every hole offered a chance for glory — or a nightmare.
A Wide-Open Weekend Awaits
With so many top names gone and the leaderboard now topped by less expected contenders — including Sweden’s Linn Grant (-6) and Korea’s Hae Ran Ryu (-5) — the stage is set for a dramatic and wide-open weekend. The door is now wide open for a new face to etch her name into major championship history.
“It’s not often you see this many stars miss the cut,” said NBC commentator and former major winner Annika Sörenstam. “But that’s what makes the British Open so magical. Anything can happen. You have to respect the course and the elements.”
Also making waves is 18-year-old amateur Georgia Price from Wales, who carded a pair of 70s to sit comfortably inside the top 10 at -2. If she can keep her nerve, she could become the youngest British Open champion in decades — a Cinderella storyline in the making.
What Comes Next
As the field resets and attention turns to Moving Day on Saturday, all eyes will be on the remaining contenders to see who can handle the pressure and the unpredictable Scottish elements. Will a rising star break through? Or will a seasoned veteran lurking just a few shots back emerge from the shadows?
For now, the biggest story remains the unexpected exits of some of the game’s brightest stars. The Women’s British Open has always promised the unexpected — but rarely does it deliver such a complete shake-up before the weekend.
Stay tuned. If the first two rounds are any indication, the final two could be unforgettable.
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