GOLF.com: How Nelly Korda's Mid-Tournament Grip Tweak Delivered a U.S. Women's Open Title

A Championship Won With a Risky Grip Fix

Nelly Korda captured the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club by a single shot, defeating Charley Hull and Gabby Lopez to claim the biggest title of her career. What set this victory apart wasn't just the scoreline — it was the unconventional decision that made it possible.

Round 1 Struggles and a Weak Grip

Korda opened with a 2-over 73 on Thursday, unusually losing strokes to the field in SG: Approach — a rare outcome for one of the LPGA's most consistent ball-strikers. A post-round range session with her sister, six-time LPGA winner Jessica Korda, pinpointed the issue: her trail hand had drifted into a weak position, sitting too far on top of the shaft.

The Adjustment That Changed Everything

Jessica recommended strengthening the grip by repositioning the trail hand further underneath the shaft. Mid-tournament grip changes are considered among the riskiest tweaks in professional golf, capable of disrupting deeply ingrained muscle memory and altering club delivery significantly. Korda trusted her sister's judgment and committed to the change despite the discomfort.

The results were immediate. In Round 2, her SG: Approach rebounded by over a stroke, and she carded a 67 to climb back into contention. She matched that score in Round 3 to share the 54-hole lead, then closed with a 69 on Sunday to seal the title.

Jessica later revealed she "could barely sleep" from anxiety over the advice she had given.

Strokeslab's Take

Korda herself laughed it off: "I don't recommend it — I do not recommend changing your grip during a major championship." This was an exceptional outcome, not a template. But the sharp SG: Approach recovery following the grip correction is a compelling data point on how foundational setup adjustments can immediately alter ball-striking quality at the elite level.