Nelly Korda’s Late-Round Birdies Tie Her for Lead at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

On Saturday at Riviera Country Club, world No. 1 Nelly Korda turned a 3-under-par start into a three-birdie finish on holes 16-18. An 8-iron on the 15th produced a 5-foot birdie putt, followed by birdies on the par-5 17th and the 18th. Her 4-under-67 round lifted her to 6-under-207 after 54 holes, tying South Korea’s Sei Young Kim for the lead.

ESPN

Korda entered the Open after winning three tournaments and finishing runner-up three times this season, including a major win at the Chevron Championship. A T-2 finish at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open prompted a “mindset shift”: she began writing positive affirmations on bathroom Post-it notes and traveling with them for daily reminders. A grip-strengthening tip from her sister, six-time LPGA winner Jessica Korda, coincided with her back-to-back 67s, the first consecutive 60-plus rounds she has posted at a U.S. Open.

Associated Press

A victory would give Korda her first U.S. Women’s Open title, complete the first leg of a career Grand Slam, and move her to 25 Hall of Fame points—just two shy of the 27 required for induction. It would also make her the youngest American to claim four majors since Mickey Wright in 1960, ending a 60-year drought for an American champion at the event.

GOLF Magazine

Korda emphasized that major championships demand “grinding” and seizing “the little window to be aggressive.” She credited her mental routine—daily positive notes and a lighter, “happy, free” attitude—for reducing the tension that previously “stiffened” her play. She also noted that strengthening her grip, per her sister’s advice, helped stabilize her ball striking. Co-leader Kim said she focuses on “the course” and “does what she has to do” to stay composed under pressure.

GOLF Magazine

• “Major championships are about grinding and then kind of when you have that little window to be aggressive, you really have to take it,” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1

ESPN

• “I started at the beginning of the year writing positive notes to myself in my bathroom,” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1

GOLF Magazine

• “I would definitely say that I’m not going to put a—I’m not going to get too frustrated. I think last year I really, really wanted it, and the more you want it sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous.” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1

Sports Illustrated

• “He always tells me, ‘You need to be a little bit more positive,'” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1

GOLF Magazine

Sunday’s final round will decide whether Korda can convert her momentum into a significant win. A triumph would secure her place in the career Grand Slam conversation and likely clinch Hall of Fame eligibility, while a runner-up finish would keep her within striking distance of both milestones.

GOLF Magazine