While many of the top players in the game headed off to the Genesis Scottish Open this week, a healthy group stayed behind in the U.S. to take part in the PGA Tour’s opposite-field event, the ISCO Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Pierceson Coody leads the way at the tournament’s midpoint as his opening-round 61 propelled him to a two-shot lead, and the University of Texas product sits at 16 under.
There’s plenty to play for this week as the purse is $4 million, and the winner will earn 300 FedEx Cup points. Also up for grabs is a spot in the Open Championship to the highest-finishing golfer who isn’t already exempt.
And while many players use opposite-field events as a gateway into bigger tournaments, here’s a list of players you’ll be surprised to hear headed home early after not getting under the cut line at 8 under.
Chesson Hadley (7 under)
Chesson Hadley of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 11, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Hadley started the season strong, making four cuts in his first five events, but he has struggled since then and even though he birdied four of his final five holes on Friday, it wasn’t enough.
Michael Kim (6 under)
Michael Kim of the United States watches his shot from the third tee during the first round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 11, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
He’s got four top-20 finishes in his last nine starts, but Kim couldn’t make enough birdies to stay for the weekend at the ISCO.
Joel Dahmen (6 under)
Joel Dahmen of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the second round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 12, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Just when it looked like Dahmen was starting to right the ship, making his last eight cuts, he posted four bogeys on Friday and was sent home.
Ryan Palmer (5 under)
Ryan Palmer of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 11, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Palmer had made the weekend in his last two events, but he failed to make a birdie in the opening round and fell behind the pack.
Daniel Berger (4 under)
Daniel Berger of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the second round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 12, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
A double on the par-5 11th hole sealed Berger’s fate and he’s now missed three straight cuts.
Cameron Champ (4 under)
Cameron Champ of the United States walks off the third tee during the second round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 12, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Things are going from bad to worse for Champ, who has now missed seven straight cuts. He opened with a 66, but struggled on Friday and came crashing back with a 74.
Parker Coody (even)
Parker Coody of the United States reacts after playing his shot from the third tee during the second round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 12, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
While his twin brother was leading the tournament, Parker Coody was at the opposite end of the scoreboard.
