Seven of the top 10 in the women's golf world rankings struggled with over-par scores on the opening day of the US Women's Open (total purse $12.5 million), the second major championship of the season.
The first round was held Thursday at Riviera Country Club (par 71, 6,699 yards) in Pacific Palisades near Los Angeles, California.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States and No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand each carded 2-over-par 73 to sit in a tie for 56th. That left them seven strokes behind sole leader Jennifer Kupcho of the United States, who shot 5-under par. Korda, winner of the Chevron Championship, began her round wearing Nike shoes gifted by basketball star LeBron James, but recorded two birdies and four bogeys, making her first step toward a bid for consecutive major wins this season a heavy one. Starting from the 10th hole, Korda felt discomfort in her foot and changed her shoes from the 16th hole, where she stood at 1-over par.
Also tied for 56th at 2-over par were world No. 6 Lottie Woad and No. 7 Charley Hull, both of England. World No. 8 Miyu Yamashita of Japan was at 1-over par in a tie for 42nd, while world No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo and No. 10 Lydia Ko of New Zealand fell to a tie for 85th at 3-over par.
Only three players among the top 10 posted under-par scores: world No. 4 Yin Ruoning of China and No. 9 Minjee Lee of Australia (both 2-under par, tied for eighth), and No. 5 Hannah Green of Australia (1-under par, tied for 14th).
Famous as the course "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods of the United States never won, Riviera CC is the fixed host venue of the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational, where Woods serves as host, and will host the golf events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Minjee Lee, the Only 'No Bogey' Round
○…Minjee Lee, the 2022 champion, was the only player to put together a bogey-free round (2-under-par 69). She recorded her 30th career round of 100% fairways hit (14/14) on the LPGA Tour, her second such mark at this event since the final round at Trump National Golf Club in 2017.
Korpuz, Born to a Korean Mother, Records the First Eagle
○…Allisen Corpuz of the United States, the 2023 US Women's Open champion, recorded the only eagle of the day at the 17th hole (par 5). Her third shot from 86 yards was sucked into the cup. Born in Hawaii to a Korean mother, Corpuz is a former golfer at the University of Southern California (USC).
'Mom Golfer' Michelle Wie 4-Over, Sagstrom 6-Over
○…Michelle Wie West of the United States, a mother of two who retired in 2023, finished the opening day at 4-over par in a tie for 104th. She recorded six bogeys but made birdie at the fifth hole (par 4) by sticking her 130-yard second shot to within 2 meters, and sank a birdie putt of about 3.6 meters at the 17th hole (par 5). Fellow mom golfers Alison Lee and Ally Ewing, both of the United States, finished at 1-under par in a tie for 14th and 2-over par in a tie for 56th, respectively, while Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden, who is seven months pregnant, shot 6-over par.
