Nelly Korda’s Pursuit of Elusive U.S. Women’s Open Title Off to Uneven Start
The world No. 1 golfer struggles in the first round at Riviera Country Club, trailing behind early leaders.
Key Facts
- Nelly Korda finished the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open with a score of 2-over-par 73.
- Korda has finished no worse than tied-eighth in 10 of her last 11 worldwide starts.
- She expressed frustration with her performance, stating, 'I honestly just hit it really poorly off the tee.'
- Korda's best result in the U.S. Women’s Open was a runner-up finish in 2025.
- Sei Young Kim led the tournament early, with Korda trailing by seven shots after the first round.
First Round Performance
Nelly Korda, the world No. 1 golfer, faced a challenging first round at the U.S. Women’s Open, finishing with a score of 2-over-par 73. This performance placed her significantly behind the early leaders, including Sei Young Kim, who topped the leaderboard. Korda's struggles were evident as she admitted to hitting the ball poorly off the tee, which contributed to her disappointing score.
Despite her recent successes, including a victory at the Chevron Championship, Korda found herself in a tough spot at Riviera Country Club. She had previously finished tied for second in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, highlighting her potential in this major tournament. However, her first round this year was marked by inconsistency, with back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes after an initial birdie. Korda, who started on the 10th, looked on track with a birdie at the 11th but followed that with back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th.
Tournament Context
The U.S. Women’s Open is a prestigious event that Korda has long aspired to win, often referring to it as 'the one' she wants most. Her emotional connection to the tournament is evident, especially after her near victory last year. Korda's performance this year, however, has raised questions about her ability to contend for the title amidst a competitive field.
As the tournament progresses, Korda will need to overcome her first-round struggles to remain in contention. The leaderboard is tight, with several players, including Kim and others, showcasing strong performances. Korda's experience and skill will be crucial as she aims to recover in the subsequent rounds. Korda has three missed cuts, three top-10s and five finishes outside the top-45 in her 11 starts at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Looking Ahead
With the first round behind her, Korda's focus will shift to improving her game in the upcoming rounds. She has demonstrated resilience in past tournaments, and her ability to bounce back will be tested. As she prepares for the next challenges at Riviera, Korda's determination to secure her first U.S. Women’s Open title remains strong.
The competition is fierce, and Korda will need to capitalize on every opportunity to close the gap with the leaders. Her performance in the second round will be critical, not just for her score but for her confidence moving forward in the tournament.
