10 golfers have withdrawn from 2024 Mizuho Americas Open so far: All you need to know
The Mizuho Americas Open is one of the most important events on the LPGA Tour. Unlike other tours, the Mizuho Americas Open offers amateur golfers a chance to interact with seasoned professionals which helps them prepare for what professional golf has to offer.
However, the 2024 edition of this prestigious tournament hasn't begun on the best note. 10 golfers have withdrawn from The Mizuho Americas Open. While three golfers walked out of the competition due to injury, seven of them had to withdraw due to a viral infection.
The LPGA released a statement about the situation. The statement read:
"Medical professionals on site have treated several athletes for symptoms related to a viral infection. The LPGA and tournament organizers continue to monitor the situation closely, and are working together to advise and assist the LPGA athletes with precautions to try to keep everyone healthy."
The withdrawals began with defending champion Rose Zhang walking away after just playing three holes in Round 1 due to intestinal pain. Later on Friday, Caroline Masson, Maja Stark, Minami Katsu, Jiwon Jeon, Haeran Ryu, and Paula Creamer also withdrew from the tournament due to similar reasons.
The three other women, A Lim Kim, Ruoning Yin and Lindsey Weaver-Wright, waved goodbye to the event due to injuries. Regardless, so many withdrawals in a short period is a matter of great concern for The Mizuho Americas Open.
Withdrawals from The Mizuho Americas Open led to opportunities for rookies
While 10 players withdrawing from The Mizuho Americas Open is indeed not the best news golf fans can receive, the one good thing that came out of it is rookies getting a chance in the competition. This experience in an event of this stature could be massive for such rookies.
After Masson and Stark withdrew from the tournament in Round 1, LPGA rookies So Mi Lee and Mao Saigo got an opportunity to play in the competition. In a media interaction later, Lee mentioned that she did not expect to play.
The LPGA rookie said:
“I didn’t expect to play today, so I [was going to] just go to the park and going to run, but my father said, hey, just go and some practice and you have a chance."
Overall, Lee and Saigo made the most of their opportunity in Round 1. While Saigo shot a -4 under 68 to achieve T2 in the leaderboard, Lee's extra extraordinary performance in Round 1 of The Mizuho Americas Open saw her score -6 under 66, which helped her gain first position.
However, after Round 2, Saigo was not able to maintain second place as she secured a -6 under 70 to finish T3. Lee also suffered the same fate and fell in second place after scoring -7 under 71. The tournament is currently being led by Atthaya Thitkul.