Keeping pace with the week’s flurry of activity in the golf community might prove challenging! After all, two enthralling events, the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open and the PGA Championship, are underway simultaneously. On the women’s side of things, the defending champion, Rose Zhang, has made an unfortunate withdrawal just after playing three holes. She won last week at the Cognizant Founders Cup, and it was her second win on the Tour. However, seasoned professionals like Nelly Korda are intensifying the competition for the $3 million purse.

Beyond the tough field, the tournament’s unique format adds an extra layer of intrigue, making it a compelling watch. Let’s dive deeper and take a look at the unique format of the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open.

What is the format for the Mizuho Americas Open?

At Liberty National Golf Club, 120 golfers participated in the standard 72-hole stroke play event, forming the foundation of the tournament proceedings. However, in a unique collaboration for the second consecutive year, the LPGA Tour, in partnership with the American Junior Golf Association, will feature 24 skilled junior golfers aged between 12 and 19, competing alongside the seasoned veterans of the Tour.

The pros will focus on the stroke play competition with the cut that would be observed after 36 holes as usual. The junior talents will participate in a 72-hole Stableford competition. This format, often favored by amateur golfers, is commonly used in club competitions and tournaments. It allows players to potentially emerge victorious regardless of a challenging start, as the highest score at the end determines the winner. Stableford provides the added benefit of speeding up the pace of the game. Once a golfer feels that they don’t have to score the point anymore, they don’t have to complete the hole, and just move on to the next one.

The differentiation in format ensures that both the junior golfers and the seasoned professionals have the opportunity to showcase their skills. After all, the tournament’s host, Michelle Wie West is focused on creating an elite experience for her fellow pros and also inspiring the next generation of women golfers through the event’s partnership with the AJGA. As the first round is already underway, who should you keep an eye on at Liberty National Golf Club?

Pros to watch out for this week in Jersey

Following a dramatic start to her professional journey, Rose Zhang unquestionably amazed the community last year as she secured the title in her pro debut. As the 20-year-old is now not competing on the field, the attention shifts. She returned to the the tournament as a favorite having won last weekend. Nelly Korda, who has been on a roll this year with 5 consecutive wins was not in the field last year due to back pain. She is now determined to secure her next LPGA Tour title and sixth one for the season.

In addition to the mentioned pros, keep an eye on Gabriela Ruffels, who was placed third at the Cognizant Founders Cup and is making her debut in the Mizuho Americas Open. Lydia Ko, winner of the season’s first event and a close contender against Korda in a playoff during the second event, also heightens the competition. The top 9 players from the world’s top 10 golfers are in the field, so we’d suggest you keep an eye on everyone!

Who do you think will win the second edition of the competition? Let us know in the comments below.