Shock Exits at Erin Hills: 9 Top Stars, Including Brooke Henderson, Miss U.S. Women’s Open Cut
Shock Exits at Erin Hills: 9 Top Stars, Including Brooke Henderson, Miss U.S. Women’s Open Cut
The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills delivered its share of surprises — but none bigger than the absence of several high-profile names heading into the weekend. Among the most notable to miss the cut was Canadian golf star and two-time major winner, Brooke Henderson, who struggled to find her rhythm on the challenging Wisconsin course.
Henderson posted back-to-back rounds of 75, finishing well outside the cut line. Despite entering the tournament with optimism and recent momentum from early-season events, her performance never quite found traction. “It’s definitely disappointing,” Henderson said after Friday’s round. “I had high hopes coming in, but Erin Hills demanded more precision than I brought this week.”
She wasn’t alone. The cutline proved brutal for a string of elite players, including past champions and consistent top-10 finishers. A total of nine marquee names — each expected to contend — fell short of making the final two rounds. The challenging course setup, swirling winds, and demanding greens exposed even the slightest flaws in the field.
Analysts were quick to note how punishing Erin Hills can be, especially for players who aren’t dialed in with their ball-striking and short game. “It’s a U.S. Open setup — it’s supposed to test every aspect of your game,” said former LPGA pro turned analyst Karen Stupples. “But seeing so many stars go out early shows just how fine the margins are at this level.”
While Henderson and others now look ahead to upcoming tournaments to bounce back, the door is wide open for a new contender to seize the moment at Erin Hills. And for fans, the early drama has only added to the intensity of golf’s most prestigious women’s championship.
As the weekend unfolds, one thing is clear: in major championship golf, nothing is guaranteed — not even for the biggest names in the game.
