The cut line at the 2025 Ford Championship proved absolutely brutal this weekend. A stunning 4-under par threshold separated those staying and those leaving early. Meanwhile, Lilia Vu stormed ahead with a breathtaking 64 (-8) in round two. Her 36-hole total of 14-under par showcases remarkable precision golf. Nelly Korda ignited the course with a sizzling 65 (-7), sitting at 12-under alongside Jeeno Thitikul. Even Charley Hull amazed everyone with a first-round 63 (-9), hitting all 18 greens in regulation. She followed with a solid 69 to maintain her share of second place at 12-under.
Their dominance makes the tournament’s cut line seem even more unforgiving. In fact, several major stars couldn’t master the firm, bouncy greens at Whirlwind Golf Club. The desert conditions punished even the slightest mistakes. Let’s examine which stars failed to survive the cut and why their Arizona dreams ended so abruptly.
Rose Zhang
Rose Zhang‘s return to competition ended in disappointment at the Ford Championship. In Thursday’s first round, she opened with a frustrating 73 (+1). Her limited tournament schedule clearly showed in her rusty play. The Stanford student rallied impressively on Friday with a solid 71 (-2).
Her surge included three birdies against just one bogey. Yet, her 1-under total still fell three shots short of the demanding 4-under cut line. This marked only Zhang’s second event of the 2025 season. Despite hitting 14 greens in regulation during round two, she needed 29 putts. The talented youngster simply couldn’t convert enough birdie chances to keep pace with the red-hot field.
Rio Takeda
Rio Takeda arrived in Arizona riding high after her victory at the Blue Bay LPGA. Her opening round suggested more success with a solid 69 (-3). She positioned herself at 5-under through 18 holes on Thursday. Then came Friday’s shocking reversal of fortune.
Takeda stumbled badly with a second-round 75 (+1). A costly double-bogey on the par-4 4th hole derailed her momentum. Despite four birdies in round two, she also carded three bogeys. The Japanese star finished at 2-under total, heartbreakingly two shots shy of the cut. Her driving accuracy dropped significantly, hitting only 9 of 14 fairways. Even recent champions aren’t immune to golf’s cruel fluctuations.
Anna Nordqvist
Anna Nordqvist showed remarkable consistency at Whirlwind Golf Club with identical rounds. She posted even-par 72s on both Thursday and Friday. The Swedish veteran managed perfect pars on seventeen holes in round two. Her only deviation came with a birdie-bogey finish on her final two holes.
The newly appointed 2026 European Solheim Cup captain needed more scoring opportunities. She hit only 10 of 18 greens in regulation on Friday. Nordqvist finished at even par, a full four shots below the required threshold. Despite solid driving accuracy (10/14 fairways hit), her 27 putts couldn’t produce enough birdies.
Jin Young Ko
Jin Young Ko stood out as the highest-ranked casualty at the Ford Championship. The world number eight showed flashes of brilliance amid struggles. Her scorecard featured an eagle on the par-5 17th hole in round two. Yet two costly double-bogeys on the 14th and 5th holes proved devastating.
Ko hit only 9 of 18 greens in regulation during her second-round 73 (+1). Her birdie count (4) couldn’t overcome the big numbers on her card. She also failed to convert either of her sand save opportunities. Her tournament total of 1-over par left the elite player a shocking five shots short of playing the weekend.
Megan Khang
After Thursday’s opening round, Megan Khang looked poised for a strong tournament. Her 2-under 70 positioned her well within the cut line. The American showed consistent play throughout her first eighteen holes, and her game appeared solid in all aspects.
Aug 27, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Megan Khang reacts to her shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Then came Friday’s disastrous collapse. Khang’s round imploded with a triple-bogey on the par-4 8th hole. Her three birdies couldn’t offset three bogeys and the triple. Despite hitting 10 of 14 fairways, she found only 11 greens in regulation. Her final tally of 1-over par fell five shots short of the weekend action. A potential contender became another casualty of Whirlwind’s unforgiving setup.
The exceptionally tough cut line at the Ford Championship highlights the LPGA Tour’s incredible depth. While Zhang and Nordqvist maintained steady performances, they simply lacked scoring punch. Takeda couldn’t capitalize on her strong start. Ko couldn’t overcome a challenging second round. Khang suffered the most dramatic reversal.
The weekend now belongs to Vu, Korda, and those who mastered Arizona’s challenging conditions. The absence of these five stars creates opportunities for others. Golf’s unforgiving nature shows no favorites, regardless of ranking or reputation. Sometimes, even the best simply run out of birdies.
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