This year's US Women's Open, women's golf's most prestigious major with total prize money of $12.5 million, has come down to a duel between Kim Sei-young, the "wizard in red pants," and world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States.
Kim shaved three strokes off her score with five birdies and two bogeys in the third round held Friday at Riviera Country Club (par 71) in Pacific Palisades, California. At 6-under-par 207 over three days, Kim tied with Korda for the lead.
Kim has recorded 13 wins on the LPGA Tour. Having claimed her first major title at the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Kim now has a chance to capture her second major in six years. Kim, who always wears red pants on the final day, last won at the BMW Ladies Championship held in Korea in October 2025.
Kim's shots were sharp on the day. Her driver missed the fairway only twice, and her iron play yielded a stable green-in-regulation rate of 78% (14/18). Her putting, however, was slightly disappointing.
"It's been a long time since I won a major, so I think I'll be nervous tomorrow," Kim said, steeling herself. "On this course, it's important to be patient. Tomorrow I'll focus on each shot and do what I can."
Korda trimmed four strokes with five birdies and one bogey. She showed strong finishing power with three consecutive birdies on holes 16 through 18. Korda struggled with a 2-over par on the first day but has been on an upward trend, shooting 4-under par on each of the last two days.
Korda, who collapsed on the final day of last year's event to finish runner-up, said, "Last year I wanted to win so badly that my body tensed up and I got nervous. Tomorrow I'll exchange jokes and become a 'free Nelly' to show my best golf."
Jeon In-ji is also seeking a come-from-behind victory from a tie for third at 5-under par. Jeon won this event in 2015. Having captured three of her four career LPGA Tour wins at major tournaments, Jeon has demonstrated a particular strength in big events. Yoo Hyun-jo, last year's KLPGA Tour Player of the Year, is in a tie for eighth at 3-under par, also within striking distance for a comeback.
If a Korean player wins on the final day, it would mark the first time a Korean has claimed the US Women's Open trophy since Kim A-lim in 2020, a span of six years.
