Nelly Korda won the 81st U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Sunday, finishing at 8-under par to edge Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by a single stroke. The victory secured Korda’s fourth career major title and her second in succession after winning the Chevron Championship in April.
The result made Korda the first American to win back-to-back majors since Juli Inkster in 1999, and according to Sky Sports, the first woman since Inbee Park to win the opening two majors of a season. It was also her fourth win of the 2026 campaign, extending her lead on the LPGA Tour this year.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” Korda said after the round. “I can’t even explain how much this means to me.”
How Korda Closed It Out
Korda entered Sunday tied for the lead at 6-under with Sei Young Kim after a week that started shakily. She opened with a 2-over 73 on Thursday before responding with consecutive 67s on Friday and Saturday to put herself in position.
Her final-round 69 was built on a steady front nine and a decisive move late. A birdie at the par-5 17th gave her a one-shot cushion heading to the last, but the 18th provided one final test. Korda’s par putt on the closing hole circled the cup before dropping, sealing the title in front of a packed Riviera gallery.
“I don’t want to relive that again but I’m sure I’ll see a lot of videos of it,” Korda said of the final hole. “A nice ice cream swirl to cap off the day!”
A Title That Eluded Her
The U.S. Women’s Open had been a difficult championship for Korda before Sunday. She finished runner-up in 2025, and The Athletic noted that her victory made her the youngest player to reach four major championships since Mickey Wright in 1960.
Korda’s shift in approach appeared to be a factor. Speaking after Saturday’s third round, she acknowledged that wanting the title too badly had hurt her in the past.
Last year I really, really wanted it. Sometimes when you want something too much, you can get a little tense and nervous. I play my best golf when I’m relaxed, enjoying myself and having fun out there.
Hull, who sat within striking distance all weekend, said before the final round that she preferred to chase. “I just find it more fun and I can then be free and just play golf how I want to play golf,” the Englishwoman said. She and Lopez both fell one shot short at 7-under.
Korda collected the $2.5 million winner’s share and strengthened her case as the leading player in the women’s game this season. Her round-by-round scores of 73-67-67-69 reflected the turnaround from Thursday’s opening 73 to Sunday’s closing 69.
Hero image: PA Wire
Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.
Simon is also the founder of Media Drive, a leading digital golf marketing agency which he successfully directed from 2008 to 2024.
As a lifelong student of the game, Simon takes an analytical approach to both equipment technology and swing mechanics—insights sharpened by two years working in a pro shop under the guidance of experienced professional Rae Sargent, alongside 15 years in equipment marketing. His deep understanding of the elite and professional game is further reinforced by his role as the father of elite-level Surrey county player Henry Bale, and by the strategic partnerships he forged with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour (DPWT) throughout his career at Media Drive.
He has now turned his full attention to covering all aspects of the sport for Golf Today, regularly attending tour events and visiting global golf destinations to deliver authentic, first-hand reviews and original imagery.