By: Max Bechtoldt
The U.S. Women’s Open is set to kick off tomorrow, the second major of the year after Nelly Korda’s win at the Chevron Championship. Here are my predictions for the most likely players to win at Lancaster Country Club:
No. 5 Gabriela Ruffels – As many predicted, Gabi Ruffels has had a terrific rookie season on the LPGA Tour. I don’t really think anyone saw this level of strength though, currently ranked No. 10 in the CME Standings and with three third place finishes, including her last two events. It isn’t unusual for young LPGA Tour stars to breakout at a major, and Ruffels has the game and momentum to do it.
No. 4 Hannah Green – From one Aussie to another, Hannah Green obviously has been a huge story this season. Other than Korda, she is the only player with multiple wins this season, and just finished in second the last event. She’s No. 2 in the CME Standings and outside of driving the ball, she’s been elite in just about every facet of the game. A major win feels like it would officially move Green into the superstar status of the game.
No. 3 Rose Zhang – While she withdrew from the Mizuho Americas Open because of illness, a tournament she was defending, she did win her last fully played event at the Founders Cup. Zhang is No. 2 on the LPGA Tour in strokes gained after a relatively slow start while still in classes at Stanford. U.S. Opens usually reward straight hitting and good approach play. That’s how Zhang goes about her game. There isn’t a weakness there, and a major feels like the next career step.
No. 2 Brooke Henderson – Nobody this season is talking about Brooke Henderson, which is odd as she’s one of the biggest names in the sport and has been really good in 2024. She’s No. 5 in the CME Standings, and her ball-striking numbers are amongst the best this season. She knows how to win majors, she has two in her career, and she feels due, without a win since January of 2023.
No. 1 Nelly Korda – Its pretty impossible to bet against Korda at this point, with her six wins on the season. This incredible stretch will slow down at some point, but Korda is a fantastic player in majors, with 11 top 10s since 2018. The U.S. Women’s Open is not traditionally her best major, two top 10s and two missed cuts in nine appearances. Korda is as dominant with her analytical numbers as she is with her counting stats, ranking No. 1 in strokes gained tee-green and No. 2 in strokes gained around the green.
