Korda's Major Victory
Nelly Korda Secures First US Women's Open Title, Marking Fourth Major Championship Victory
Nelly Korda won the 81st U.S. Women's Open on Sunday, claiming her fourth career major and first U.S. Open title. Her final 2.5-foot par putt on the 18th green at Riviera Country Club curled around the rim before dropping in, giving her a one-shot win over Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez at 8-under par, according to Associated Press.
The victory makes Korda, 27, the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win back-to-back majors in the same season. She took home $2.5 million from a record $12.5 million total purse, per USGA.
A Perilous Final Putt Seals the Title
Sunday's final round was a thriller. A four-way tie at 7-under developed between Korda, Hull, Lopez, and In Gee Chun late in the afternoon. Korda broke free by birdieing the par-5 17th hole to go to 8-under. Then came the nerves. On 18, her 2.5-foot par putt wobbled along the edge of the cup before falling in, WRAL reported.
Gaby Lopez had made a dramatic 15-foot birdie on 18 to briefly share the clubhouse lead, putting maximum pressure on Korda. Hull also finished at 7-under. But Korda held on. "That's what we work so hard for, to be in this spot," she said Saturday. "I'm going to give it my all," per NBC Sports.
Korda's Rocky Start Gave Way to Dominant Comeback
Korda did not start well. She shot a 2-over 73 in Round 1, sitting seven shots off the lead held by Jennifer Kupcho, according to LA Times. But she bounced back hard. She carded a 4-under 67 on Friday — the lowest score of the day — then closed with three straight birdies on Saturday for another 67.
She entered the final round tied for the lead with Sei Young Kim at 6-under. Her final scorecard read 73-67-67-69, good for a 269 total. Golf Channel noted that despite early driver struggles, her mental strength on the back nine proved why she is "the best in the world" right now.
Historic Venue, Record Purse, and a Wildfire Backdrop
Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California hosted a women's major for the first time in its 100-year history. Known as "Hogan's Alley," the course is a longtime PGA Tour stronghold. The choice of venue was seen as a major step forward for women's golf, per Forbes.
The $12.5 million purse set a record for women's golf. USGA Chief Championship Officer John Bodenhamer said, "The women deserve to play with the monetary returns that we're providing... We're treating the men and the women equitably," per Golf Channel. The tournament also carried a bittersweet tone. Pacific Palisades is still recovering from devastating January 2025 wildfires that spared Riviera but leveled much of the surrounding area.
Korda Now Chases Hall of Fame and the Grand Slam
The win puts Korda at 25 LPGA Hall of Fame points. She needs 27 to be eligible. theScore projects she could reach that mark before the end of 2026. She is also the youngest American to win four majors since Mickey Wright in 1960, per LA Times.
Three majors remain in 2026: the KPMG Women's PGA, the Evian Championship, and the AIG Women's Open. Korda is the first player in over a decade with a real shot at a seasonal Grand Slam — winning all four majors in one year. She won the Chevron Championship on April 26, giving her two majors already this season, according to Lethbridge Herald.
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