LPGA tour standouts Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson missed the cut at the US Women’s Open this past weekend as World No. 6 golfer Yuka Saso picked up her second title at the major.

After posting a first-round 80 — which included a 10 on a par-3 — Korda followed it up with a 70 on the second day. The back-to-back disappointments ended the chances for the World No. 1, who had been an overwhelming favorite going into the tournament. 

"I knew it was going to be a tough day," Korda told reporters afterwards. "Try to give it my all, you know that’s what I try to do with every round. I had nothing to lose, and that was my mentality — just kind of go for it."

Joining Korda in missing the cut was longtime US front-runner Lexi Thompson. Thompson was competing in her 18th consecutive US Women’s Open, announcing beforehand that this would be her final season competing professionally.

"Minus the golf, it was amazing," Thompson said of her recent US Women's Open performance. "It wasn’t the golf that I wanted to play, obviously… to see all the fans out there, just to hear their chants, made me smile, every single shot even though I kept on bogeying."

"It’s meant the world to me," she added. "I’m so blessed and grateful for the family that I have… Going into the week I knew it was going to be a big week. To have my family and friends and the amount of fans that were out there this week, that’s what we want."

Fellow American Rose Zhang, ranked No. 6 in the world, was another big name on the cut list. 

For Saso, however, the week was a banner one. At just 22 years old, the Philippine-born Japan national is a two-time major champion, winning both titles at the US Women’s Open. She’s the youngest two-time champion in the event's history.

"I definitely had a little doubt if I can win again," she told reporters following the victory. "It just makes it special because after a long wait — I wasn't expecting to win the US Women's Open. Every time, last time, too, I wasn't expecting it, and this time, too, I wasn't expecting it."

Yuka Saso likes to hit birdies — especially in the clutch.

En route to becoming one of the youngest U.S. Open champions ever, the 19-year-old birdied two of her last three holes to card a final-round 73 and catch Nasa Hataoka, forcing a playoff. 

Then, on the third playoff hole, Saso birdied again, this time for the win.

With the win, Saso is now tied with Inbee Park as the youngest champion in U.S. Open history — both were 19 years, 11 months and 17 days old.  

Despite the comeback, Saso’s day didn’t start out the best, opening with double bogeys at two and three to drop several shots back of then-leader Lexi Thompson. 

“I was actually a little upset,” Saso said about her poor start. “But my caddie talked to me and said, ‘Just keep on going; there’s many more holes to go.’ That’s what I did.”

Saso kept her patience, watching and listening as Thompson dropped six shots on the back nine, including on the final hole to drop into third place. From there, Saso and Hataoka battled it out in the playoff to determine the winner.

It’s Saso’s first LPGA career victory, earning her immediate LPGA tour membership with a five-year exemption. She’s also the first major winner, male or female, from the Philippines.

Yuka Saso has a one-stroke lead through 36 holes at the U.S. Open. The 19-year-old sits atop the leaderboard at minus-6 heading into the final two rounds.

2019 U.S. Open champion Jeongeun Lee is one stroke behind Saso, with Megan Khang and 17-year-old Megha Ganne following close behind at minus-4.

Round 3 at the Historic Olympic Club will begin on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.