New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and American partner Danielle Kang faced disappointment after failing to advance to the weekend rounds at the 2025 LPGA Team Event, missing the cut by three strokes. The pair’s effort at this tournament, held recently, fell short despite high hopes fueled by their close bond and prior successes together.
The LPGA challenge involving Ko and Kang had generated significant attention leading into the weekend, as the two golfers—nicknamed “sisters from another mister”—had previously managed to scrape through to the weekend rounds, allowing them to compete side by side for more days. This time, however, their combined score of 1-under par 139 was insufficient, ending their run prematurely.
Disappointment and Reflections from Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang
Danielle Kang revealed the emotional highs they had experienced in 2024 when the duo barely made the cut, recalling with emotion the moment they qualified for the weekend stages.
“We cried. Making the cut, we cried,”
Kang said as she nostalgically reflected on their previous success, emphasizing the importance of playing two more days together.
Following the recent setback, Lydia Ko took to Instagram to voice her feelings, sharing a photo of herself and Kang while expressing being “gutted” at missing the chance to compete further and spend valuable time alongside her teammate. Her message also conveyed pride in the determination they had shown throughout the event, despite not reaching their goal.
Ko had recently conveyed confidence during a press briefing ahead of the 2025 Dow Championship, signaling readiness to her competitors, including Lexi Thompson. She highlighted the trust and familiarity within her pairing with Kang, noting,
“There is a lot of trust. It’s not our first rodeo. It’s not like Oh, what’s your favorite color. We don’t have to do all the basic questions. I’m sure there are a lot of partners that played together, but we have done a lot of that, and because we can almost stick to our own schedules and just focus on us and just try and be the most prepared ourselves, I think that’s the best we can do at this point.”
Current Standings and Competition Outlook
While Ko and Kang’s tournament ended abruptly, other teams are still in contention. Thompson and Megan Khang, nicknamed ‘Biggie Smalls,’ hold a position tied for ninth and trail the leaders by four strokes heading into the final day of the event. Their extended play underscores the competitive nature of the field and the narrow margins that define success.
Despite their early exit, the premature end of the event for Ko and Kang could provide a fresh focus on upcoming challenges, potentially serving as a positive turning point. Their attention will soon shift to their next significant test on the LPGA Tour.
Preparing for the Upcoming Major Challenge at the Evian Championship
The LPGA Tour’s focus will soon move to France, where the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship awaits at the Evian Resort Golf Club. This is the fourth major of the season and marks a pivotal moment for all players, including Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang, as many top competitors return after the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Both Ko and Kang enter the event under pressure to improve on recent performances. Ko has struggled to find consistent top finishes in majors this year, with placements of tied 52nd at the Chevron Championship, tied 26th at the U.S. Women’s Open, and tied 12th at PGA Frisco. Although she is showing signs of progress, inconsistency remains a significant hurdle.
Kang’s major experience this season has been limited to a single appearance at the Women’s PGA Championship, where she unfortunately missed the cut. She is currently listed as a reserve for upcoming events and must regain form to secure a spot in future lineups.
Given these challenges, the duo’s time before the Evian Championship will be crucial for refining their skills and strategies to contend effectively on the European leg of the LPGA Tour. Their ability to bounce back will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds for Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang
The unexpected cut at the team event serves as a sobering moment for Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang, who had entered with high hopes for a sustained run. Their relationship, built on mutual trust and teamwork, remains strong despite this setback, and the upcoming weeks offer an opportunity to recalibrate.
With the Evian Championship approaching rapidly, the pressure is on both golfers to translate their dedication into improved performance on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Their success or failure there could significantly influence their momentum for the remainder of the LPGA season.
Fans and commentators alike will be eager to see if these two “sisters from another mister” can turn adversity into motivation and demonstrate the resilience needed to compete at the highest level once again.