Nelly Korda won her first U.S. Women’s Open title after a 2½-foot putt caught the edge before dropping, sealing her second consecutive major victory. The world’s top-ranked player triumphed at the 81st U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday, holding off Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by one shot. Korda, 27, claimed her fourth major overall with a 2-under 69 in the final round, finishing at 8-under 276. The victory was marked by a nail-biting finish at Riviera, a venerated 100-year-old country club in Pacific Palisades.

Thrilling Finish at the 18th Hole

Korda’s final putt on the 18th hole came perilously close to a spin-out that would have forced a three-way playoff. The ball toured half the circumference of the hole before dropping, prompting an eruption of gasps and roars from the gallery. Korda responded with a hand over her mouth and a laugh at the absurdity of the moment. ‘It’s even sweeter, especially with that ice cream swirl on the last hole,’ she said.

Her victory was far from a foregone conclusion, as she shared the lead with multiple competitors throughout the windy finale. The win came after a season in which she has already secured four LPGA Tour victories and three second-place finishes in just eight starts.

Significance of the Victory

This U.S. Women’s Open was the first ever held at Riviera, a course long associated with men’s golf. Korda’s victory was particularly meaningful, as it marked her second consecutive major win following her triumph at the Chevron Championship in April. Unlike that earlier win, which saw her streak away from the field, the U.S. Women’s Open was a hard-fought battle to the end.

Korda’s win also came on the heels of her younger sister Jessica’s performance, who finished nine shots behind. Jessica was the first to reach the 18th green and give her a hug after the decisive putt. Korda’s father, Petr, was a top-ranked tennis player and Olympian representing the Czech Republic, adding a legacy of sports excellence to the family.

2025 Season and Reflection

Despite her 2025 season being winless, Korda described it as a ‘grind’ and noted that success is never linear. One shot in particular stood out in her mind as a turning point. It occurred at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2025, where she hit what she considered the best shot of the year but ended up overshooting the green by 10 yards and a bit to the left. ‘If I could get one shot back, that would be it,’ she said.

Entering the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, Korda approached the tournament with a plan to change the narrative, as previous performances at the event had been difficult. In 2023 and 2024, she struggled with scores of 80 in key rounds. The 2025 victory at Riviera was a significant step in changing her U.S. Women’s Open story.