Nelly Korda Claims First US Open Title in Dominant Fashion
Nelly Korda etched her name into golf history Saturday at Pinehurst No. 2, becoming the first woman in 20 years to win the US Open women’s championship. The 27-year-old American finished with a 12-under 276, winning by three strokes over runner-up Jennifer Kim. Korda’s victory marked her first major championship and cemented her status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
How Korda’s Historic Win Unfolded
Korda’s path to victory was marked by consistency and clutch putting. She led the field in scoring average (-12.00) and finished the tournament with a 29-30-30-31 round distribution, never posting a score worse than 31 on any hole. Her most impressive round came on Friday, when she carded a 65 (-9) to take a three-stroke lead into the final day.
The turning point of the tournament came on the back nine of the final round. Korda was tied for the lead with Kim and Minjee Lee after 12 holes, but she seized control with a pair of birdies on holes 13 and 14. She then closed with a 33 on the final nine holes, including a crucial birdie on the par-5 18th to extend her lead.
Key Stat: Korda made 22 of 28 birdie opportunities (78.6%) and holed 11 of 14 greenside bunker shots during the tournament.
What This Win Means for Korda’s Career
Korda’s victory arrives at a pivotal moment in her career. She had previously finished second in the 2025 Women’s PGA Championship and was ranked world No. 2 entering this week. The US Open title gives her a career Grand Slam (having won the Masters, PGA Championship, and now the US Open) and positions her as the favorite for next year’s Women’s British Open.
More significantly, Korda becomes only the 12th woman in LPGA Tour history to win all four majors. Her victory also breaks a 20-year drought for American women winning the US Open, with the last American champion being Annika Sörenstam in 2006.
Comparison: Korda joins a select group of players who have won all four majors before age 28, including Sörenstam (27), Inbee Park (26), and Mickey Wright (24).
How the Tournament Played Out: A Round-by-Round Breakdown
| Round | Date | Leader | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 5 | Minjee Lee | 69 (-2) |
| 2 | June 6 | Nelly Korda | 67 (-4) |
| 3 | June 7 | Nelly Korda | 65 (-9) |
| 4 | June 8 | Nelly Korda | 75 (-1) |
Korda’s victory was particularly notable for her ability to manage the pressure of the final round. While many players struggled with Pinehurst No. 2’s challenging layout and windy conditions, Korda remained composed, making just two bogeys on the day.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Korda?
With her major championship now in hand, Korda will turn her focus to the remaining events on the LPGA Tour schedule. Her next major opportunity will be the Women’s British Open in July, where she enters as the clear favorite.
The LPGA Tour has also announced that Korda will receive the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average in 2026, a distinction she is widely expected to win after her performance at the US Open.
Next Checkpoint: Korda will compete in the next LPGA event, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, scheduled for July 14-17 at Inglewood Golf Club.
FAQ: Key Questions About the US Open Women’s Championship
What is Pinehurst No. 2 known for?
Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the most challenging courses in golf, known for its narrow fairways, fast greens, and strategic risk-reward holes. It has hosted the US Open five times, most recently in 2013.
How does the US Open scoring system work?
The US Open is a stroke-play tournament where players complete 72 holes of golf. The player with the lowest total score after 72 holes wins. In case of a tie, a playoff is held.
What is Nelly Korda’s next major tournament?
Korda’s next major opportunity will be the Women’s British Open, scheduled for July 14-17 at Royal Troon.
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