The Valspar Championship at Innsbrook’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida, already lacked a slew of stars due to its place in the PGA Tour schedule (four of the five events leading up to the Valspar were designated, with another one coming next week).
And after the Friday cut was made, a few of the stars who did tee it up didn’t play well enough to earn a Saturday tee time.
Matt Fitzpatrick, who’s struggled with his game much of 2023, leads the list. The 13th-ranked player in the world is in the field for next week’s WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas.
Here are some of the names who missed the cut of 1-over 143 at the Valspar Championship.
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Matt Fitzpatrick (3 overs)
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts on the third tee during the first round of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 16, 2023, in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Englishman’s week was ruined early Thursday afternoon when he made a nine at the par-4 third. He made bogeys on Nos. 3 and 5, too, before playing his back nine in 3 under to sign for a 3-over 74.
His even-par effort Friday morning wasn’t enough to recover and he headed home early.
Adam Hadwin (3 overs)
Adam Hadwin of Canada prepares to hit his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 16, 2023, in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Canadian got off to a great start Thursday, opening with a 2-under 69. However, thanks to a triple bogey and a double bogey on Friday, Hadwin stumbled to a second-round 5-over 76.
Kevin Kisner (5 over)
Kevin Kisner of the United States looks on from the third tee during the first round of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 16, 2023, in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Kiz played well on Friday, posting a 1-under 70. However, it wasn’t enough to recover from an opening 6-over 77 that included eight bogeys. The fan favorite has now missed the cut in four of his last five starts.
Harry Higgs (9 overs)
Harry Higgs of the United States waits to putt on the third green during the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 12, 2023, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Higgs played nicely on Thursday, signing for a 1-under 70. Friday, however, was a different story.
Not only did he make back-to-back double bogeys on Nos. 7 and 8 (his 16th and 17th), but stumbled to an eight at the par-3 13th. Higgs failed to break 80, posting a second-round 10-over 81.
Two weeks after finishing T-7 at the Puerto Rico Open (an opposite-field event), Higgs is leaving the Tampa area early.
Zach Johnson (10 overs)
Zach Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the second round of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 17, 2023, in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
The 2023 United States Ryder Cup captain did not have his game this week, posting rounds of 74-78 to turn in a two-day total of 10 over.
Story originally appeared on GolfWeek