World No. 1 Nelly Korda captured the 81st U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday at Riviera Country Club, securing her fourth career major with a tense finish in Pacific Palisades, California. Korda shot a 2-under 69 in the final round to finish the tournament at 8-under 276, narrowly avoiding a playoff to claim the $2.5 million winner’s share from a record $12.5 million purse.
The victory broke a late four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. Korda separated herself on the par-5 17th hole by sinking a crucial 9-foot birdie putt. On the 18th green, she faced a 34-inch par putt to seal the win. The ball curled completely around the lip of the cup before finally dropping in, instantly ending the tournament.
England’s Charley Hull and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez finished exactly one stroke behind, tying for second place at 7-under 277. South Korea’s In Gee Chun took fourth at 6-under, while Sei Young Kim rounded out the top five at 5-under. Hull shot a 67 on Sunday, tying the lowest 36-hole weekend total in U.S. Women’s Open history, but she walked away with her fifth career runner-up finish in a major without a victory.
This weekend marked the first time the 100-year-old Riviera Country Club hosted the U.S. Women’s Open. For Korda, the win continues a dominant multi-win 2026 campaign following a winless 2025 season. She is the first female golfer to win the first two majors of a single season since Inbee Park, having already taken The Chevron Championship in April.
At 27 years old, Korda is now the youngest American golfer to win four major championships since Mickey Wright accomplished the exact same feat in 1960.