Nelly Korda Wins 2nd Straight Major at U.S. Women's Open

For one breathless moment at Riviera Country Club, Nelly Korda's U.S. Women's Open victory hung on the edge of a hole, and so did the dreams she'd carried since childhood.

The world's top-ranked golfer won her second straight major championship Sunday, but not before her final 2½-foot putt took a dramatic tour around the rim of the 18th hole. When it finally dropped, Korda covered her mouth in disbelief before laughing at the absurdity of the moment.

"It's even sweeter, especially with that ice cream swirl on the last hole," Korda said after claiming the trophy she wanted most.

The 27-year-old finished at 8-under par, holding off England's Charley Hull and Mexico's Gaby Lopez by a single stroke. Her steady final round of 2-under 69 marked her fourth LPGA Tour victory of the season in just eight starts.

This wasn't the runaway win Korda enjoyed at The Chevron Championship in April. She started seven shots behind after the opening round and never pulled away from a packed leaderboard on Sunday's breezy finale at the venerated Pacific Palisades course.

The turning point came on the 17th hole, where Korda sank a 9-foot birdie putt to break free from a four-way tie. She threw a rare double fist pump, knowing it could decide her fate.

"I don't even feel like I had my B game," Korda admitted. "I was just grinding out there, and that's what major championships are all about, right?"

Her grit showed throughout the week. After struggling in the opening round, she took her sister Jessica's advice and changed her grip between rounds. The adjustment worked brilliantly as she posted back-to-back 67s to share the lead heading into Sunday.

Why This Inspires

Korda's journey to this title proves that champions aren't defined by perfection but by persistence. After a winless 2025 season that left questions about her mental game, she returned with renewed focus on positivity and steadiness.

Her willingness to make a major technical adjustment mid-tournament shows remarkable courage and trust. Most players wouldn't dream of changing their grip during golf's most prestigious events, but Korda listened to her sister and took the risk.

The win also represents a historic moment for women's golf, with the tournament's record $12.5 million purse and Korda's $2.5 million winner's share reflecting growing investment in the sport.

Hull, who finished second at a major for the fifth time, showed pure class in defeat. "Fair play to Nelly Korda for back-to-back wins," she said after her brilliant final-round 67.

Korda's fourth major title at age 27 puts her among golf's elite, and her dominant 2026 season is already one for the history books.