World No. 1 Nelly Korda conquered the Open, scoring her first-ever US Women’s Open victory on Sunday to claim her second straight LPGA major this year.
The win came down to Korda’s final putt. She launched a birdie that kissed rim of the 18th hole to beat No. 7 Charley Hull and No. 22 Gaby Lopez by a single shot.
“It’s even sweeter, especially with that ice cream swirl on the last hole,” Korda said afterwards.
“This week was definitely a grind,” she continued. “I was just grinding out there, and that’s what I guess major championships are all about, right? It doesn’t matter if you have your B or C game. You have to be there mentally.”
The 27-year-old’s long-awaited US Women’s Open win cements a recent return to form. With the win, Korda picked up her fourth 2026 title across eight starts.
“I didn’t feel my best on the back nine,” Korda said. “I had a lot of emotions swirling in my stomach. [But] it’s a dream come true. I’ve dreamt about this moment since I was a little girl.”
World No. 7 Charley Hull made LPGA leaderboard moves over the weekend, nearly leapfrogging eventual winner No. 1 Nelly Korda at the 2026 US Women's Open.
The English golfer shot a 65 on Saturday and a 67 on Sunday at Riviera Country Club, climbing from outside contention to the top of the standings. Her two-round total of 132 matched the championship record Meg Mallon set in 2004.
Charley Hull's Scores Record Weekend at Riviera Tournament
Hull started the weekend well-removed from the LPGA leaderboard's top spot.
She then cut 10 putts from her total over the final two rounds. Sunday's eagle and five birdies pushed her to seven-under par. And on the 18th hole, she sank a putt to post the clubhouse lead.
"I just love playing in the majors," Hull said afterwards. "I feel like sometimes, the first two days, I'm in a 'keep my head in the game' [mentality]. You can't go for everything because it's just early on, but now I have nothing to lose. I can just go at everything and play free golf like I do at home and it's more fun."
Despite the history-making performance, however, Hull's push wasn't enough to seal the win.
Clutch Nelly Korda Finish Secures US Women's Open Title
World No. 1 Nelly Korda birdied the par-five 17th to break a tie at seven-under, before making par on the 18th to win by a single stroke. The victory gave Korda her fourth-career major title — and her second in a row after taking the 2026 Chevron Championship.
Hull andNo. 22 Gaby Lopez shared second-place at seven-under.
The result marks Hull's fifth-career LPGA major runner-up finish. Her previous near-misses came at the 2016 ANA Inspiration, 2023 US Women's Open, 2023 Women's British Open, and 2025 Women's British Open.
The next major LPGA tournament stop will be the 2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship in Minnesota. That event tees off on June 25th at the historic Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Jennifer Kupcho shot a 5-under par 66 on Thursday, securing the opening-round lead at the 2026 US Women's Open.
The 29-year-old made seven birdies at Riviera Country Club to hold a one-shot edge over South Korea's Sei Young Kim on the day's leaderboard.
Jennifer Kupcho Surges Up the LPGA Leaderboard
Kupcho led the field in approach shots on the day with an iron play on the second hole that landed within a foot of the pin. She then built momentum with three consecutive birdies during the afternoon stretch.
According to the world No. 26, a pre-tournament scouting trip helped her read Riviera's greens and angles ahead of time.
"I just really, really like the golf course," she said after Round 1. "It's kind of a ball-striker's paradise. Just hit it down the fairway, hit it on the green and make the putts."
A victory would give Kupcho her fifth career LPGA Tour win and her first major title since the 2022 Chevron Championship.
However, she faces stiff competition in Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Japan's Hinako Shibuno, as both ended the day just two strokes back after carding opening rounds of 3-under-par 68. Lopez made five birdies through her first eight holes before three bogeys pulled her back.
No. 1 Nelly Korda Faces Early Hurdles at Riviera
While Kupcho thrived, US star Nelly Korda endured a frustrating opening day, finishing at 2-over par 73 after struggling with accuracy off the tee.
She swapped out a pair of custom Nike shoes sent by NBA superstar LeBron James mid-round, but said the footwear wasn't to blame.
"It wasn't a great day," Korda told reporters. "I hit it really good Monday through Wednesday, so I have honestly no idea where this came from. I'm going to go to the range."
Where to Watch the 2026 US Women’s Open LPGA Leaderboard
Coverage of the second round of the US Women's Open begins today at 2 PM ET, live on USA Network.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda is officially heading to the Netherlands, as the LPGA Tour star just punched Team USA's first ticket to the 2026 US Solheim Cup.
Korda holds 2,603 points in the US standings, putting her more than 1,000 points ahead of second-place Angel Yin. And with only nine qualifying events left on the LPGA schedule, it appears that no one can catch her.
US captain Angela Stanford shared her excitement about the news. She praised Korda's work ethic and competitive spirit, calling her a massive asset for Team USA in the upcoming international tournament.
"Nelly's hard work, demeanor, and competitiveness make her an asset and I can't wait to watch her compete for the USA at Bernardus," Stanford said.
Nelly Korda Rockets to the Top of the LPGA Tour Standings
Over her last 30 LPGA Tour starts, Korda has lifted four trophies including the 2026 Chevron Championship — her third career major title.
She opened her 2026 season with six consecutive T2 or higher finishes, including three wins. This fall will mark her fifth Solheim Cup appearance, as Korda carries a 10-5-1 lifetime record into the event.
With the Cup still months away, the 27-year-old is now focused on a tournament much closer to home.
This week, she's gracing the LPGA leaderboard at Riviera Country Club for the 2026 US Women's Open. After failing to get a win at last year's competition, Korda is more motivated than ever to add yet another win to her 2026 LPGA season run.
"It made me hungrier to be in those positions," Korda said last year's performance. "There's no better place to be in than in the hunt on a back nine on Sunday at a major championship, especially at the Women's Open."
Where to Watch the 2026 US Women’s Open LPGA Major
The US Women's Open runs through Sunday, with live coverage across USA, Peacock, and NBC Sports.
The LPGA is hitting new heights this week, as the US Women’s Open takes over Riviera Country Club with a record $12.5 million on the line.
The tournament upped the ante after offering $12 million in 2024 and 2025, becoming the latest LPGA Tour event to raise its purse this year.
“We’re proud to lead on that front as we lift up the women’s game,” USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer said.
Sweden’s Maja Stark returns after capturing the 2025 title, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda hunts the only major LPGA trophy missing from her shelf.
Michelle Wie West also joins the this week’s LPGA leaderboard, using her last year of exemption after stepping away from pro golf three years ago.
Where to Watch the 2026 US Women’s Open LPGA Major
The US Women’s Open tees off today at 9:45 AM ET, with live coverage across USA and Peacock.
Defending US Women's Open champion Maja Stark handed back her first major LPGA trophy this week.
As tradition dictates, the Swedish golf star had to physically return the Harton S. Semple trophy she won at last year's tournament before this week's 2026 US Women's Open kicks off.
However, rather than feeling a sense of loss, Stark admitted the exchange brought a wave of relief.
"It was fun to have it, but it's more fun to play for it," Stark told The Golf Channel.
Maja Stark Shows Renewed Focus Ahead of 2026 US Open
The symbolic gesture coincides with a significant mental shift for the 26-year-old.
After shocking the field with her 2025 victory at Erin Hills, Stark slid into a post-major slump. The breakthrough win secured her LPGA Tour card for five years, but the security unexpectedly dented her competitive drive. She subsequently struggled under the pressure, missing five cuts in her next seven starts.
To recapture her form, Stark explained she relied on a team of sports psychologists to get back on track. Her focus then shifted from defending a title to chasing a new one.
"I have so many people around me saying, 'This is okay,'" Stark said. "'You're going to get through this even if you don't feel like it, and you're going to get back to normal.' All of a sudden it happened."
And the adjustments are paying off.
Stark arrives at the historic Riviera Golf Course having made seven of her last eight cuts, while a recent putter change has also boosted her confidence.
With every major winner since 2021 gunning for this week's LPGA leaderboard, Stark will face steep competition in her quest to reclaim her championship title.
Where to Watch the US Women's Open at Riviera Golf Course
The 2026 US Women's Open tees off 9:45 AM ET on Thursday, with live LPGA major coverage starting at 2 PM ET on USA Network.
WTGL is back in the headlines, as some of the biggest names in women’s sports invested in the budding indoor women’s golf league this week.
Tennis titan Aryna Sabalenka, hockey great Hilary Knight, basketball legend Diana Taurasi, and WNBA stars Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Nneka Ogwumike, and Gabriela Jaquez joined soccer icon Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures in backing the TMRW Sports women’s league.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this investment supporting WTGL and helping grow women’s golf in a new and innovative way,” Sabalenka said.
Set to kick off after the 2026 LPGA Tour, 14 top golfers will feature in WTGL’s debut season, including Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, and Jeeno Thitikul.
The upstart’s big miss might be world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who told Golfweek she would prefer LPGA stars join the men’s TGL, rather than create a separate competition.
French golfer Celine Boutier is back in the winner's circle after mounting a final-round comeback to capture the 2026 ShopRite LPGA Classic on Sunday.
Entering the final day four strokes behind the leader, Boutier fired a flawless 5-under-par 66 at the Seaview Bay Course. She carded three crucial birdies around the turn to finish the 54-hole tournament at 9-under 204.
The victory marks her seventh career LPGA Tour title and second win at the New Jersey tournament.
Dramatic Final Round Shakes Up ShopRite LPGA Leaderboard
Second-round leader Soo Bin Joo controlled the tournament early on. But the 22-year-old South Korean struggled on the back nine. Joo lost her cushion and tumbled down the standings after a critical double-bogey on the 13th hole.
That's when Boutier launched her come-from-behind run. She seized the top spot on the LPGA leaderboard on that same hole by sinking a dramatic 30-foot birdie putt.
Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol staged a late rally with consecutive birdies on the final two holes. However, she finished one stroke behind the 32-year-old Frenchwoman.
"To have a chance to win today is definitely something very special," Boutier of the win. "I think it's great tournament, very special for me, so really excited to be able to have another win here."
The 2026 ShopRite LPGA purse topped $2 million, offering a substantial payout to the top finishers. Boutier is expected to take home over $300,000 in prize money after claiming the top spot.
More importantly, the win gives the French star valuable momentum heading into next week's US Women's Open.
The LPGA Tour returns to South Jersey this weekend for the 2026 ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Running from May 29th to 31st at Seaview Golf Club's historic Bay Course, the event features a fresh tournament look, elevated stakes, and a competitive field.
This year, 144 of the world's top golfers are vying for an event-record $2 million purse — up 14.3% over last year's tournament prize pool. The financial boost underscores a growing organizational commitment to expanding economic opportunities in women's golf.
The increased purse will likely benefit a new LPGA champion, as no one has successfully defended a ShopRite LPGA title since Anna Nordqvist's back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016. In fact, 14 different golfers have hoisted the trophy since 2010.
Key LPGA Players to Watch ion the ShopRite Leaderboard
This year, defending champion Jennifer Kupcho leads a pack of past winners eager to snap the tournament's decade-long trend.
Among the leaderboard is 2022 champion Brooke Henderson, who posted 7-under-par or better in three of her first four LPGA events this season. Henderson also ranks 11th in driving accuracy at 77.27%, a statistical edge on Seaview's narrow layouts.
Several rising stars add even more depth to the 2026 ShopRite field.
World No. 15 Hye-Jin Choi arrives with three Top 10 finishes this season, backed by the Tour's fourth-most sub-par rounds. Second-year Australian pro Cassie Porter also brings momentum, tallying four Top 30 finishes through nine starts in 2026.
Elsewhere, fellow Australian Robyn Choi joins the field fresh off a tie for eighth place at the recent Kroger Queen City Championship.
However, missing from this year's tournament is US star Nelly Korda. The No. 1 finished eighth at the Queen City Championship earlier this month, and is taking a planned break before heading to the US Women's Open.
With a blend of veteran champions — including 43-year-old US legend Natalie Gulbis — and young talent, the 54-hole sprint promises to deliver the drama at the Jersey Shore.
Texas Longhorns junior Farah O'Keefe captured the individual national title at the 2026 NCAA Women's Golf Championship on Monday.
By shooting a final-round 2-under 70, O'Keefe secured a two-stroke victory, finishing the medal-play portion of the NCAA golf tournament with a strong 12-under par.
O'Keefe navigated a chaotic back nine that featured only two pars. She subsequently survived a shanked shot on the 14th hole, scrambling quickly to salvage a bogey.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Texas standout never lost her composure or her lead.
She turned the momentum around late in the round, hitting a wedge within six feet to birdie the 17th hole. Then, she sealed her national title by rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th.
Farah O'Keefe Makes Texas Women's Golf History
With the win, O'Keefe became just the third player in Texas women's gof history to win an individual NCAA golf crown. She joins the ranks of Heather Bowie (1997) and Charlotta Sorenstam (1993).
Her performance also earned her an automatic entry into the upcoming US Women's Open.
O'Keefe finished two strokes ahead of Stanford golf star and US Women's Amateur champion Megha Ganne. She also propelled Texas into the team quarterfinal bracket, where it will face Eastern Michigan.
Where to Watch the 2026 NCAA Women's Golf Tournament
The NCAA golf tournament's match-play quarterfinals and semifinals tee off on Tuesday, with the championship match on Wednesday. Live coverage continues on The Golf Channel.