By: Max Bechtoldt
The Mizuho Americas Open is back this week, which means one of the most entertaining weeks of the year will take place in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. Here are the five players I think are most likely to compete this week:
No. 5 Yuka Saso – It’s been awhile since a great performance from Saso, but she quietly has been remarkably consistent this season. She hasn’t missed a cut yet and is gaining strokes in every category. Her play has been too good for her overall results and she’s back on a course she played well at last season.
No. 4 Jennifer Kupcho – Like Saso, Kupcho feels due for a strong week. She’s keeping herself in tournaments with consistent play and now needs to level up. A course she finished runner-up at last year feels like a good opportunity to do just that.
No. 3 Nelly Korda – Korda didn’t play at Liberty National last season, so we don’t know how she will respond to the course, but despite not winning last week, it’s hard not to pick her. She is still lapping the field in strokes gained, in the top 30 in ever category including No. 1 in tee-to-green and No. 2 in around the green. Don’t bet against her.
No. 2 Haeran Ryu – It feels like outside of Korda, I have written more about Ryu than any other player this season. I still think a win is fast approaching. Ryu has four top-10 finishes this year, and is really excelling with her ball-striking. The putter can be erratic to say the least, but I feel good about her chances on a course she came in third on in 2023.
No. 1 Rose Zhang – Zhang feels almost like Michelle Wie West’s co-host of the tournament this week, with good reason. Her win here in 2023 was one of the best moments of the season, and she picked up a ton of momentum by winning last week just down the road. Zhang now leads the tour in strokes gained on approach, above heavy hitters like Minjee Lee and Jin Young Ko. There is nothing resembling a flaw in her game, and she should be in good position to win here once again.
