Story perspectives

Nelly Korda Wins U.S. Women’s Open, Takes $2.5M

6/8/2026

Summary

Korda Wins Open

Nelly Korda won the 81st U.S. Women’s Open on June 7, 2026.
She posted a 2-under 69 to finish 8-under 276 and clinched the title with a 2½-foot par putt on the 18th after a 9-foot birdie on the 17th broke a four-way tie.
Korda collected the $2.5 million winner’s share of the record $12.5 million purse and her second straight major following The Chevron Championship.

Summary

Korda Wins Open

Korda won the Open, adding two LPGA Hall of Fame points, reaching 25.
Her family includes sister Jessica Korda, LPGA winner; father Petr Korda, 1998 Open champion; and brother Sebastian Korda, tennis player.
She left mirror notes urging 100 % effort and acceptance to curb perfectionism.
She changed LeBron James-gifted Nike Victory Pro 4 shoes after six holes because they felt too roomy, noting Meg Mallon’s 132-stroke 36-hole record from 2004 stands.

Summary

Korda Wins US

Nelly Korda won the U.S. Women’s Open, earning 650 Race to the CME Globe points and moving toward CME Group Tour Championship.
The win gave Korda a $2,500,000 share of a $12,500,000 purse and awarded Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez $1,500,000 each for tying second, one shot behind.
A 36-hole cut left 63 professionals and four amateurs from 156, 14th LPGA stop of 2026 before the Dow Championship in Michigan.

Summary

Lee Misses Win

Alison Lee, a mother, finished one shot off the lead after late bogeys, falling short of becoming fourth mother to win the U.S. Women’s Open, the first mother winner since Juli Inkster (2002).
Ruoning Yin set a record as the first golfer with seven rounds of even-par or better, with a 71 to sit at 4-under.
Asterisk Talley, a 17-year-old amateur, posted a 66, a performance among the tournament’s competitors.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 Juli Inkster became a two-time U.S. Women’s Open champion, posting a 276 total to win by two strokes at Prairie Dunes and lifting a $3 million purse. Her breakthrough foreshadowed the tournament’s growth, and in 2026 Nelly Korda captured the title with a 276 score, earning a $12.5 million purse, the largest in the event’s history.

1 of 5

Korda Wins Open

Nelly Korda won the 81st U.S. Women’s Open on June 7, 2026.
She posted a 2-under 69 to finish 8-under 276 and clinched the title with a 2½-foot par putt on the 18th after a 9-foot birdie on the 17th broke a four-way tie.
Korda collected the $2.5 million winner’s share of the record $12.5 million purse and her second straight major following The Chevron Championship.

1 / 5