Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Nelly Korda won the US Women’s Open on Sunday after producing a composed final round at Riviera Country Club to secure a one shot victory and claim her first title at the championship. The world number one finished eight under par after shooting a final round 69, holding off England’s Charley Hull and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez in a tense finish on the Pacific Palisades course that will host golf at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The victory matters because it gives Korda her long sought breakthrough at the US Women’s Open and adds a fourth major championship to her growing resume.
Korda entered the final day tied for the lead and handled sustained pressure throughout a tightly packed leaderboard.
The American had one defining moment on the 17th hole when she rolled in a birdie putt from around nine feet to move ahead.
She still had work to do at the final hole.
Korda’s short par putt at 18 briefly circled the cup before falling, sealing one of the most significant wins of her career.
“I just can’t even explain how much this means to me,” Korda said during the trophy presentation.
Korda captures long awaited US Open title
The victory delivers Korda her first US Women’s Open championship after years of coming close at golf’s toughest tests.
It is also her second major title victory of the year after winning the Chevron Championship in April.
Her final total of eight under 276 was enough to separate herself from a field that remained crowded deep into the closing holes.
Korda’s latest major success further strengthens her position as the world number one and continues one of the strongest stretches of golf seen on the LPGA Tour this season.
Charley Hull falls short again in major pursuit
Hull once again came close to a breakthrough major victory but finished runner up for the fifth time.
The English player entered the final round after a brilliant third round 65 had pushed her into contention.
She maintained that momentum with a four under 67 on Sunday.
Hull birdied the 17th to stay in touch and then produced a clutch par save from around nine feet at the final hole.
Despite her efforts, she finished one stroke behind Korda at seven under 277.
The result adds another near miss to Hull’s career record in majors but reinforces her consistency on golf’s biggest stages.
Lopez and Chun remain in contention until the end
Lopez also threatened to force extra holes after producing a steady final round.
The Mexican shot 68 and moved into a share of the clubhouse lead after making her fourth birdie of the day at the 18th.
She then watched as Korda played the closing stretch.
South Korea’s Chun In Gee briefly looked like she could take control of the tournament.
Back to back birdies at the 10th and 11th gave Chun a two shot advantage before momentum shifted quickly.
Bogeys at 12 and 13 dropped her back before a missed par putt at the final hole ended her challenge.
Chun finished fourth on six under after a closing 70.
Kim Sei Young finished fifth on five under after starting the final round tied with Korda for the lead.
Australians finish outside contention
Grace Kim and Karis Davidson were the leading Australian finishers after both ended the tournament tied for 22nd at two over par.
Kim finished strongly with a final round 69 to cap another encouraging performance following her Evian Championship victory last year.
Davidson’s week was one of the stories of the tournament after entering the field late as an alternate.
She slipped down the standings after shooting 73 on Sunday but still completed an impressive campaign.
Hannah Green and Minjee Lee finished tied for 28th at three over par.
Green also closed with a 69 but was left reflecting on a third round 75 that halted her momentum.
Lee delivered consecutive rounds of 71 over the weekend but paid the price for a difficult second round 76.
Steph Kyriacou and amateur Sarah Hammett both missed the cut.
Riviera delivers Olympic preview
Riviera Country Club provided a challenging final test with shifting leaderboard positions throughout the closing stages.
The course will return to global attention when it hosts Olympic golf during the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Sunday’s finish provided another reminder of why Riviera remains one of golf’s most iconic venues.
For Korda, it also became the place where she finally added the one major championship missing from her collection.