ESPN: Kupcho Fires 66 to Lead U.S. Women's Open R1 on a Stern Riviera Test

Kupcho's 66 Sets the Pace at Riviera

Jennifer Kupcho opened the 81st U.S. Women's Open with a flawless 5-under 66 at Riviera Country Club, building a one-shot lead over Sei Young Kim after the first round. Her card featured seven birdies and not a single bogey on a layout that yielded just one eagle across the entire field.

Approach Shots Doing the Heavy Lifting

The most telling number from Kupcho's round: SG: Approach of +4.27, best in the field. A 133-yard shot to within a foot on the second hole encapsulated her iron play. She also credited a scouting visit to Riviera two months prior—when the LPGA Tour stopped 13 miles away in Tarzana—for giving her a clear mental map of the course.

The Leaderboard

Sei Young Kim sits one back after three consecutive birdies on her closing holes, including two sharp approach shots and a 29-foot birdie putt. Gaby Lopez and Hinako Shibuno (渋野日向子) are among a group at 4-under 68, though Lopez stumbled after a hot start of five birdies in her first eight holes.

Korda Struggles

World No. 1 Nelly Korda opened with a 2-over round, fighting her tee shots throughout. A mid-round shoe change—courtesy of new footwear sent by LeBron James—added to an unusual day, though Korda insisted the shoes weren't the issue.

16-Year-Old Amateur Turns Heads

Aphrodite Deng, a 16-year-old amateur and reigning U.S. Girls' Junior champion, carded a 2-under 70. Only seven years into the game, she was briefly in contention for the lead before a tough finish.

Strokeslab's Take

Kupcho's SG: APP number is the story of Round 1—Riviera rewards ball-strikers, and her iron precision gave her a substantial edge that putting alone rarely delivers on a course this demanding.