ESPN Golf: Nelly Korda Enters U.S. Women's Open with Renewed Confidence and Relentless Routine

World No. 1 Nelly Korda arrives at Riviera Country Club for the U.S. Women's Open as the overwhelming favorite, carrying three wins and remarkable consistency through seven starts this season.

From Runner-Up Heartbreak to Renewed Hunger

Korda finished second at last year's U.S. Women's Open — her best result at the event — but rather than deflate her, the near-miss sparked what she calls a "hunger for more." Despite a winless 2025 season with nine top-10s, she resisted the urge to overhaul her approach, trusting that her process would eventually deliver.

A 2026 Season Built on Consistency

The numbers speak clearly: three wins from seven starts, with her worst finish being a T-8 two weeks ago. Her dominant Chevron Championship victory — four shots clear by the weekend — confirmed she is operating at an elite level. Korda credits a shift in mindset: coming to each event with a clear plan and executing it, rather than second-guessing her preparation.

The Discipline Behind the Results

Korda takes just one day off per week. The other six are devoted to early-morning range work, gym sessions, and daily treatment through the evening. She openly acknowledges the personal sacrifices involved, but frames them as the price of competing for majors on Sunday afternoons.

Strokeslab Editorial View

A win at Riviera would make Korda only the third American woman to claim four major titles since 2000 — a milestone that underscores just how rare this kind of sustained excellence is. Her pre-tournament demeanor and season-long data align perfectly: she is not just the favorite, she is the standard by which every other player at Riviera this week will be measured.