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Ina Yoon Ties Record 63 to Lead Women’s PGA Championship

6/26/2026

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Summary

Yoon Opens

Ina Yoon opened the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Chaska, Minnesota, with a record-tying 9-under 63, two strokes ahead.
Karis Davidson posted a 65 for second while A Lim Kim and Alexa Pano carded 67 for third when Amanda Doherty made a hole-in-one on the 17th.
Yoon’s 63 tied the round set by Nelly Korda in 2021 and Patty Sheehan in 1984 and was the fourth-best first-round major score since 1980.

Summary

Korda Chases Hall

Golfer Nelly Korda, who avoids watching her point total, has 25 points and would lock in her Hall of Fame spot by winning the Women’s PGA Championship, which adds the needed two points.
Capturing three majors of 2026 would make Korda only the third player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors, a feat previously achieved only by Inbee Park (2013) and Babe Zaharias (1950).
Hall of Fame eligibility needs 27 points.

Summary

Women's PGA Booms

The 2026 Women’s PGA Championship offers a record $13 million purse, the largest in women’s golf.
The winner’s share of $1.95 million and second place’s $1.17 million together mark a dramatic rise in major prize money.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda trails Annika Sörenstam’s $22.6 million career earnings record by $1.1 million.
The U.S. Open final round drew 1.3 million viewers, peaked at 2.2 million, and posted a 76 % ratings increase over 2025.

History

Historical Context

In 2000 the LPGA Championship, won by Beth Daniel, raised its purse to $2 million and gave a $300,000 winner’s share, driving a 45 % TV-rating rise. That surge launched a trend seen in the CME Group Tour Championship, whose purse grew from $1.5 million in 2011 to $11 million by 2024. The 2026 event now offers a $13 million purse and a $1.95 million winner’s share.

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Yoon Opens

Ina Yoon opened the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Chaska, Minnesota, with a record-tying 9-under 63, two strokes ahead.
Karis Davidson posted a 65 for second while A Lim Kim and Alexa Pano carded 67 for third when Amanda Doherty made a hole-in-one on the 17th.
Yoon’s 63 tied the round set by Nelly Korda in 2021 and Patty Sheehan in 1984 and was the fourth-best first-round major score since 1980.

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