Bubble Watch

Kai Trump mounted an admirable comeback in the second round of The Annika on Friday. After opening with a 13-over 83, she bounced back with a 5-over 75 in Round 2. While Caitlin Clark drew plenty of attention during the pro-am, social-media engagement around Kai’s appearance ultimately eclipsed Clark’s. Although Kai finished last, she’ll still be spotting her grandpa a few shots the next time they tee it up.

The real story this week is that jobs are on the line. Players are grinding to stay inside the top 100 to maintain full LPGA playing privileges for next season. Just as important is the season-long race for the top 60, which determines who qualifies for the CME Group Tour Championship.

Here are players to watch this weekend:

Anne-Sterre den Dunnen
Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen was the only sponsor exemption to make the cut. In her first LPGA event, the senior from the Netherlands fired two-under in the second round to get back to even par and secure weekend tee times. She earned her exemption by winning The Annika Intercollegiate earlier this fall—a strong start to her season.

Kate Smith-Stroh
Kate Smith-Stroh—who I had a blast writing about earlier this year—delivered a heroic second round, shooting four-under to climb to T-32. She entered the week 118th in points and will need two exceptional rounds to keep full status for next season, but the talented graphic designer from Minnesota has a tee time and a chance.

Auston Kim
Big-hitting Auston Kim shot five-under on Friday to move into a tie for sixth, three shots behind leaders Linn Grant and Grace Kim. Auston recorded a career-best 2nd place finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship back in June and joined Any Given Monday to talk about the experience. An avid reader, she was working through Jim Murphy’s Inner Excellence that week, and even recommended The Tiger, which, surprisingly, is not about a golfer. Whatever she’s reading now seems to be fueling another strong run.

Albane Valenzuela
Olympian and 2024 Solheim Cup captain’s pick Albane Valenzuela started the week 96th in points. After rounds of 68 and 67, the 27-year-old Swiss star enters the weekend tied for 10th and is projected to move up eight spots. She can focus on chasing the leaders rather than worrying about her job security.

Alexa Pano

Friend of Any Given Monday Alexa Pano started the week on the bubble at No. 100 and sits at one-under, tied for 32nd heading into the weekend. The Massachusetts native and lifelong Patriots fan is projected to climb to 97th.

Pornanong Phatlum & Amy Yang
Thai trailblazer Pornanong Phatlum entered the week 98th but missed the cut after a difficult second round. It must have been a stressful afternoon watching scores come in, but she only slipped two spots and should retain her card. Everyone who started the week in the top 100 and made the cut appears safe. That includes 36-year-old Amy Yang, who came in at No. 99 and made the cut on the number, but was already exempt through 2029 because of her win at last year's KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

The battle for the top 60
LPGA rookie Cassie Porter began the week on the bubble at No. 60. After consecutive rounds of one-under, she’s projected to move up a spot to 59th, trading places with Wei-Ling Hsu, who missed the cut by one.

Nataliya Guseva—the first Russian to qualify for the LPGA Tour—is tied for 15th at four-under and projected right on the number at 60th. Just one shot behind her is Ina Yoon, who is projected 62nd. The final CME spot could come down to those two. Meanwhile, at No. 58, LPGA winner Jenny Shin’s made cut effectively locks up her place at the Tour Championship.

Jobs are on the line this weekend at The Annika—and we’ll be watching the bubble players closely.

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