Nelly Korda Leads U.S. Women's Open After Thrilling Round Three
WHO:
The New York Times - Nelly Korda, world No. 1 golfer
The New York Times - Sei Young Kim, tied with Korda on the leaderboard
The New York Times - Jessica Korda, Nelly's sister and six-time LPGA Tour winner
WHAT:
Fox News - Korda won her first U.S. Women's Open title with a one-shot victory during the final round at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Fox News - Korda is now recognized as the most important U.S. female golfer in modern history.
Fox News - Korda's victory marks her first real women's golf major title.
Fox News - Korda is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, making her one of only five U.S. women golfers to achieve this ranking since the women's world golf rankings began 20 years ago.
The New York Times - Korda's scorecard on Saturday included a bogey on the split-fairway 8th hole.
The New York Times - Korda hit an 8-iron into the par-3 16th within five feet and sank the putt.
The New York Times - Korda stated, “It’s always amazing to be in this position. That’s what we work so hard for, to be in this spot. So whatever happens tomorrow happens, but I’m going to give it my all and see what the outcome is.”
The New York Times - Korda's final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.
The New York Times - Korda hit a 276-yard drive on No. 18, allowing her to stick her 9-iron to four feet from 154 yards.
The New York Times - Korda is in the best position she’s ever been going into the final round of a U.S. Women’s Open, having previously stood in sixth place after 54 holes last year and ultimately finishing tied for second.
The New York Times - Nelly Korda shot a 4-under-par 67 in the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open.
The New York Times - Korda is tied for the lead at six-under par.
The New York Times - Korda made three consecutive birdies to finish her round.
The New York Times - Korda's scorecard included two early birdies, one via a chip-in on No. 3 and another on No. 6.
The New York Times - Korda carded seven consecutive pars before her final trio of birdies.
The New York Times - Korda's longest drive was 289 yards on the par-5 17th hole.
WHERE:
The New York Times - Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California
WHEN:
Fox News - Korda's victory occurred on June 7, 2026.
The New York Times - Korda will play in the final pairing of the championship for the first time in her career.
WHY:
The New York Times - Korda mentioned that she plays her best golf when she is "happy, free Nelly, and I’m kind of joking around out there."
The New York Times - Korda stated, “I think last year I really, really wanted it, and the more you want it sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous.”
The New York Times - Korda credited a grip change, suggested by her sister, for improving her ballstriking.
The New York Times - Korda mentioned that an active shift in her on-course attitude has helped her thrive under pressure.
HOW:
The New York Times - Korda mentioned that she plays her best golf when she is "happy, free Nelly, and I’m kind of joking around out there."
The New York Times - Korda made a grip change to a stronger position on the club before her second round.
The New York Times - Korda gained 2.61 shots in approach on Saturday, compared to a loss of 0.65 shots on Thursday.
(UPDATED June 8, 2026 14:16 UTC)
Korda has clinched her first U.S. Women's Open title with a thrilling one-shot victory during the final round at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. This win not only marks her first major title in women's golf but also solidifies her status as the most important U.S. female golfer in modern history. Currently ranked No. 1 in the world, Korda joins an elite group of only five U.S. women golfers to achieve this prestigious ranking since the inception of the women's world golf rankings two decades ago.
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(UPDATED June 8, 2026 10:17 UTC)
Korda faced a challenge on the split-fairway 8th hole with a bogey, but she bounced back by hitting an impressive 8-iron into the par-3 16th, landing within five feet of the hole and sinking the putt. Reflecting on her performance, Korda expressed her excitement about being in a strong position, stating, “It’s always amazing to be in this position. That’s what we work so hard for, to be in this spot.” She also noted that she plays her best golf when she feels "happy, free Nelly," adding a light-hearted touch to her game.
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(UPDATED June 8, 2026 01:39 UTC)
Nelly Korda solidified her strong performance at the U.S. Women’s Open with a second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera, following a challenging start of 2-over 73. She showcased her skills with a remarkable 276-yard drive on the 18th hole, setting up a 9-iron approach that landed just four feet from the pin. Korda expressed that her best golf comes when she feels relaxed and happy, noting that last year's intense desire to win made her more nervous as she heads into the final round in the best position she’s ever been.
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(UPDATED June 7, 2026 15:20 UTC)
Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked golfer, shot a remarkable four-under-par 67 in the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, and is now tied for the lead at six-under par alongside Sei Young Kim. Korda finished her round with three consecutive birdies, including a chip-in on the third hole and another on the sixth, while her longest drive reached an impressive 289 yards on the par-5 17th hole. This marks the first time Korda will play in the final pairing of the championship, a feat she attributes to a grip change suggested by her sister and a positive shift in her on-course attitude.