Nelly Korda lands first U.S. Women's Open title as Grand Slam chase heats up

Nelly Korda has written another chapter in a dominant season, capturing her first U.S. Women’s Open title at Riviera and securing the fourth major championship of her career.

The world number one has now become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win the opening two majors of an LPGA season, underlining a remarkable run of consistency at the very top of the women’s game.

At just 27, Korda also becomes the youngest American in LPGA history since Mickey Wright in 1960 to reach four major victories, further cementing her place among the modern greats.

Her triumph also places her in rare company as only the third world number one since the rankings were introduced two decades ago to win the U.S. Women’s Open, joining Annika Sörenstam in 2006 and Inbee Park in 2013.

Korda’s 19th career LPGA win also moves her into position to complete the career Grand Slam this season. 

She now only needs two majors to achieve the feat: the Evian Championship from 9–12 July, and the AIG Women’s Open from 30 July–2 August.

The drama peaked on the final green, where Korda’s short par putt on 18 slipped in after a nervy moment that briefly stunned both player and crowd. 

Reflecting on the finish, she admitted the moment was not one she was keen to revisit.

"I don't want to relive that again but I'm sure I'll see a lot of videos of it," laughed Korda.

She then added a light-hearted touch to an otherwise high-pressure finish:

"A nice ice cream swirl to cap off the day!"

"I feel like I'm in a dream," said an emotional Korda, when asked what this moment feels like having dreamt about it since a kid.

"I just can't even explain how much this means to me.

"I want to thank everyone for coming out here to cheer me on.

"I want to thank my whole family and my entire team. Thank you for supporting me and all being in my corner."

Reflecting on achieving her dream at the famed Riviera venue — which also hosts Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour — Korda paid tribute to the setting and its legacy.

"It's a dream, such an iconic golf course. It was in immaculate condition. The golf course holds so much history, to have my name on so many champions means so much."

Korda, who entered the week as a heavy favourite, delivered when it mattered most on Championship Sunday. 

A crucial birdie on the par-5 17th from 10 feet gave her a one-shot advantage heading down the last.

On 18, she split the fairway and found the heart of the green from 35 feet, leaving what appeared to be a routine two-putt par. 

But tension lingered as her final putt drifted left before catching enough of the edge to drop, sparking stunned reactions from both Korda and the gallery.

She then embraced her caddie Jason McDede before sharing emotional celebrations with family, friends and her team behind the 18th green.

Korda began the tournament with a two-over-par 73, but responded in emphatic fashion with rounds of 67, 67 and 69 to finish at eight-under-par, sealing victory by one shot.

It continues a standout 2026 campaign in which she has already recorded four victories. 

Across eight starts this season, Korda has finished first or second in seven events, with her lowest finish a tie for eighth.

Her win adds to an already impressive major résumé, having previously claimed the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021 and two Chevron Championship titles in 2024 and 2026. 

But the U.S. Women’s Open has long held a special place for her, the one she once dreamed about as a junior on the putting green.

If she completes the remaining two legs of the summer schedule, Korda would become one of the few players in history to secure a career Grand Slam in women’s golf.

England’s Charley Hull finished runner-up for the fifth time in a major, coming agonisingly close once again after a strong closing 67.

Hull shared second place with Gaby López, who also finished one shot shy of Korda after a composed final round.

They both finished seven-under par. 

Hull remains one of the most popular figures in the women’s game and continues to edge closer to a long-awaited major breakthrough.

Meanwhile, In Gee Chun and S.Y. Kim rounded out the top five on six and five-under par respectively.