Maguire & Walsh Miss Cut at Fortinet Founders Cup | Kim Leads
Menlo Park, California – Both Leona Maguire and Lauren Walsh faced disappointment at the Fortinet Founders Cup, failing to make the cut for weekend play at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club. The Irish duo found themselves battling an uphill climb after the first round, sitting just two shots off the projected cut line of level par, but were unable to recover in Friday’s second round.
Maguire’s round began promisingly on the back nine, with birdies on the 14th and 16th holes offering a glimmer of hope. But, her momentum was quickly derailed by consecutive bogeys, followed by a costly double bogey that ultimately proved decisive. She finished the day with a 74, bringing her tournament total to +4, four strokes shy of qualifying for the weekend.
Walsh also struggled to find consistency, carding a 76 that included three bogeys and a double bogey. Her overall score of +6 left her two shots further back than Maguire, ending her participation in the tournament.
The tournament is shaping up to be a compelling contest at the top, led by South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim. Kim fired a 2-under-par 70 in the second round, extending her lead to four shots. Despite a shaky start with two bogeys in her first eight holes, Kim demonstrated resilience and regained her form with a string of four birdies over her final ten holes.
Kim’s two-day total stands at 11-under 133, marking the first time the tournament has been held at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club. Remarkably, she has managed to stay in contention despite missing 10 of 36 greens, relying on an efficient short game and requiring only 52 putts through two rounds.
Mexico’s Gaby Lopez is Kim’s nearest competitor at -7, while a group of seven players, including World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and No. 2 Nelly Korda, are just one shot further back. Korda, competing in her first event since winning the weather-shortened Tournament of Champions to open the 2026 season, delivered a strong performance with a 68, highlighted by five birdies against a single bogey.
Korda acknowledged the challenges presented by the Sharon Heights course, describing it as “tricky” and opting to use less than driver on multiple occasions during her second round. “You really have to shape it out here,” Korda explained. “Some of the trees are a little bit intimidating and the greens are tough, too. Not only are they really undulated, but sometimes they’re a little bit harder to read, too, where I thought it was going.”
The Founders Cup represents an important early-season test for these players as they navigate the LPGA Tour schedule. For Maguire and Walsh, the missed cut is undoubtedly a setback, but provides valuable experience as they continue to compete against the world’s best. The tournament’s challenging layout, as highlighted by Korda, emphasizes the importance of precision and strategic course management.
Kim’s impressive performance thus far demonstrates her ability to overcome adversity and capitalize on opportunities. Her efficient putting game has been a key factor in her success, allowing her to salvage pars and convert birdie chances even when her approach shots fall short. Lopez and the chasing pack will need to maintain consistent pressure and capitalize on any potential mistakes from Kim if they hope to contend for the title.
Nelly Korda’s return to form is also a significant storyline. After a successful start to the season with her win at the Tournament of Champions, Korda will be looking to build momentum and establish herself as a dominant force on the LPGA Tour. Her ability to adapt to the challenging conditions at Sharon Heights and navigate the course strategically will be crucial to her chances of victory.
The weekend rounds promise to be a thrilling battle for the lead, with Kim aiming to maintain her advantage and the chasing pack determined to close the gap. The course’s demanding layout and undulating greens will undoubtedly test the players’ skills and mental fortitude, making for a captivating finish to the Fortinet Founders Cup.
– The competition continues at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club, with the final two rounds set to determine the champion.