PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Nelly Korda won the 81st U.S. Women’s Open with less than her “B game” at a place known for Babe Zaharias, Ben Hogan and Humphrey Bogart. She dramatically horseshoed in the winning putt in a glorious amphitheater setting on primetime TV as the crowd chanted her name.
At famed Riviera Country Club it felt, as her caddie Jason McDede said, like destiny.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” said 27-year-old Korda of winning the title she wanted most. “I just can’t even explain how much this means to me.”
It was a fight all week. From the moment she slipped off those LeBron-gifted shoes during the first round, when she holed what she called an ice cream swirl of a 3-footer on the 72nd green.
“She’s probably the icon of golf right now,” said her proud father Petr, with grandson Greyson perched high on his shoulders.
Is she ever.
Korda became the first American woman to win the U.S. Women’s Open while ranked No. 1 since the Rolex Rankings debuted in 2006. She’s the first American woman to reach four major titles since Meg Mallon in 2004, and the first American to win the first two majors of the season since Pat Bradley in 1986.
How rarefied is Korda’s air right now? She joins a list of American players to have won four majors before age 28 that includes the Patty Berg, Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright and Kathy Whitworth.
Big sister Jessica Korda, who sat on the range Thursday afternoon and offered the tip that would turn Nelly’s game around, couldn’t even get out any words on Sunday in aftermath.
Only tears.
“My sister was like, I barely could sleep. I just literally told you to change your grip during a major championship,” said Korda, laughing.
GET IN THERE!!
Nelly Korda finds every bit of the cup to win the U.S. Women’s Open!@Allypic.twitter.com/3Sz0jIz5XM
— U.S. Women’s Open (@uswomensopen) June 7, 2026
It was, Korda said, the hardest and most uncomfortable thing she could possibly do in the heat of battle, but she pushed through and relied on a short game that proved unmatched.
A gob smacked Korda was seven strokes back after the first round at Riviera and in a share of 56th. Her grittiest of comebacks ties the largest in terms of strokes by any U.S. Women’s Open champion after the first round.
The 9-foot birdie putt she made on the 71st hole was the most clutch shot of her life, certainly the most consequential. She called McDede in to confirm the lead and then took her place in history, realizing a lifelong dream.
“I don’t think she’ll ever get a moment like this again,” said McDede through tears. “To win at Riviera, No. 1 in the world … she’s getting older. You know, time passes.”
The maturation of Korda was on full display this week. She was baffled, at times, but not panicked. If she got mad, she moved on quickly.
Korda revealed this week that she has taken to traveling with Post-It notes to give herself uplifting reminders when she’s getting ready for the day. Fiancé Casey Gunderson backs it up.
“Casey brings a very positive and calm personality to her tornado mess sometimes,” said Jessica with a laugh. “He’s been a great addition.”
Sunday’s Post-It at Riviera: “Whatever happens, happens, just give it 100 percent.”
Korda has lost to only nine players all season. In eight starts, she has four wins, three runner-ups and a share of eighth.
She’s now only two points shy of the LPGA Hall of Fame and has two opportunities to win the career grand slam: at the Amundi Evian Masters or AIG Women’s British Open. (The LPGA counts winning four of the five different majors a career grand slam. Capturing all five is the super slam.)
The last time an American woman played her way into the LPGA Hall of Fame was Juli Inkster in 1999. Korda, with 25 points, sits on the doorstep.
This is, without question, the biggest moment in women’s golf since Michelle Wie West won the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
“She’s the needle mover that makes people outside of golf pay attention,” said USGA CEO and former LPGA commissioner Mike Whan, adding, “I remember when Stacy (Lewis) went on her run. I told her everything on your shirt and your bag will be an [LPGA tournament] title sponsor one day, because you just reached No. 1.
“And everything did.”
The first U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera delivered the most packed board of major winners in championship history. But, in the end, Korda held off two players in search of their first in Gaby Lopez and Charley Hull, who now has five runner-up showings at the majors.
“I pretty much only get up for the majors,” said a disappointed Hull.
As Korda climbed the stairs from the 18th green Amy Alcott, the Hall of Famer who snuck onto Riviera as a kid and shaped her Hall of Fame career in the practice fairway between the first and second holes, stood ready to greet her.
Earlier in the week, Korda asked Alcott for some advice, and she shared the same message her own mother offered before she won the 1980 U.S. Women’s Open.
“Just go out and let the world enjoy you,” said Alcott.
Of that, there was no doubt.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Nelly Korda wins first US Women’s Open title, fourth career LPGA major
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