ESPN Golf: Nelly Korda Claims U.S. Women's Open Title as Final Putt Circles the Cup Before Dropping

A Historic Moment at Riviera

Nelly Korda claimed the 81st U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club — the first time the venue hosted a Women's Open in its 100-year history. She finished at 8-under 276, edging Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by a single stroke in a wind-swept final round.

The crowning moment was almost cruel: her 2½-foot winning putt caught the left lip, circled half the cup, and dropped in only after what felt like an eternity. Korda laughed through tears, later calling it an "ice cream swirl" she'd never forget.

Grinding to Glory

This win looked nothing like her dominant Chevron Championship victory in April. Korda opened with a 73, switched shoes mid-round, and then — on her sister Jessica's advice — changed her grip entirely. Back-to-back 67s followed, putting her in a share of the lead heading into Sunday.

Despite not having her "A game," Korda was the only player in the top seven to avoid a bogey on the back nine. Her 9-foot birdie on 17 broke a four-way tie and proved decisive. "I threw out a double fist pump on that hole, because I knew what it meant," she said.

Season of Dominance

With this win, Korda has four majors to her name and an extraordinary 4 wins and 3 runner-up finishes in just eight 2026 starts. Tiger Woods reportedly reached out multiple times before the final round to urge her to "finish it off today."

She took home $2.5 million from a record $12.5 million purse — a fitting reward for a performance defined not by brilliance, but by grit.

Strokeslab's Take

Full SG data for this event will be covered separately, but Korda's ability to hold the advantage across all categories — even while playing below her best — points to elite course management and mental resilience as her true edge at Riviera.