World No. 1 Nelly Korda recorded a dramatic win at the US Women’s Open as Charlie Hull’s wait continues despite a historic weekend comeback in California.
Korda was selected as the pre-tournament favorite after shooting a 2-under 69 and holding off a crowded major leaderboard at 8 under par for a one-shot victory at Riviera Country Club.
The American had a crucial birdie on the par-5 17th hole and a two-putt par at the end to move Hull into a tie for second with Mexico’s Gabby Lopez, making her the first woman since Inbee Park to win the first two majors of the season.
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Charley Hull got off to a dream start on the final day of the U.S. Women’s Open with a 12-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole.
Hull’s third-round 65 gave her a 4-under 67, the lowest 36-hole total in U.S. Women’s Open history, and the British woman combined for an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys during Sunday’s charge.
The latest near miss means Hull have recorded five runner-up finishes at a major tournament without a single win, with Cheon In-ji finishing fourth, a step ahead of Korda’s partner Seiyoung Kim.
How Korda Surpassed a Major Thriller Film on the Riviera
Hull got off to a dream start in the final round as she followed up with a 12-foot eagle on the par 5 for her third birdie, temporarily lifting her into the lead, but Korda and Kim also started with birdies to restore a buffer for the night.
Momentum returned when Hull attempted a birdie from inches away from a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth, but Kim and Korda both birdied the same hole to move to 8 under par.
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Charley Hull is inches away from making a hole-in-one at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Jeon raised his hopes of winning with a chip-in birdie on the 7th hole, Korda and Yuna Kim both made bogeys, and Hull temporarily took the lead with consecutive birdies after the turn and finished 9th in the first half with a drop shot.
Hull saved par from 10 feet on the 12th hole and three-putted on the 14th to fall briefly behind Chun. Chun made birdie birdie on the back nine but was canceled out by bogeys on the next two holes.
With just four holes remaining, five players were separated by one shot, with Hull making birdie on the par-5 17th before holing from 10 feet to save par at the end and setting an early clubhouse target.
Lopez had birdies on three of the first four holes of the back nine and found a final 15-footer for bogey on the 16th to join Hull at 7 under, but it was Korda who edged ahead after back-to-back pars with an 8-foot birdie on the 17th.
Korda had two putts left for victory on the par-4 18th green, and the American cleaned up after trailing by two feet at the first to seal his fourth world title of the year.
More to follow…
What’s next?
The LPGA Tour heads to Midland Country Club in Michigan starting Thursday for the Dow Championship, a two-person team tournament, and the next Ladies European Tour event is the Dutch Ladies Open, June 19-21.
The men’s major season continues with the US Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 18-21, while the next women’s major season is the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine from June 25-28, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Access Sky Sports or stream golf without a contract
