Nelly Korda Wins US Women’s Open as Gaby López Claims Historic Second

Nelly Korda secured her fourth career major — and first U.S. Women’s Open title — with a nerve-shredding final-hole par at Riviera Country Club, edging out a charging pack by a single stroke. The world number one, who began the day tied for the lead, carded a 2-under 69 to finish at 7-under-par, sealing victory only after her par putt on the 18th circled the cup before dropping. The win, Korda’s second major of the season, confirms her commanding return to the summit of women’s golf after an injury-interrupted 2025 campaign.

The tournament’s most compelling subplot, however, unfolded in the shape of Mexico’s Gaby López. The 31-year-old equalled the best major performance of her career by a Mexican golfer, firing a final-round 68 to share second place with England’s Charley Hull at 7-under. Her total of 277 — built on rounds of 68, 71, 70, 68 — surpassed her previous best of third at the 2023 Evian Championship. “I feel great, I’m not disappointed at all,” López said afterward. “I realised I can win a major.” Her runner-up cheque of $1 million — the richest payday of her career — underscores the growing financial muscle of the women’s game, and her surge on the back nine, where she reeled off four birdies, briefly threatened to force a playoff.

For Hull, the result was a familiar torment. The 29-year-old Englishwoman, who electrified the galleries with a third-round 65 to vault into contention, recorded her fifth runner-up finish in a major. “It’s just frustrating,” she said. “Another second place.” Her bold front-nine charge fizzled on the inward stretch, leaving her to watch Korda’s decisive birdie on the 17th from the fairway. South Korea’s In Gee Chun and Sei Young Kim, both former major winners, finished one stroke further back, while Australia’s Grace Kim and Karis Davidson shared 22nd place, evidence of the event’s global breadth.

Viewed from Mexico City, López’s performance marks a watershed for a nation with a modest golfing tradition, and her composure under pressure suggests a major breakthrough may not be far off. For Korda, the victory at an iconic venue — her fourth title of 2026 — reasserts her pre-eminence in a season that already included two other wins. The broader narrative of women’s golf, meanwhile, is one of deepening competition: the leaderboard featured players from at least six nations, and the quality of play across all four days underscored the tour’s rising standards. As the circuit moves to its next major, the Evian Championship, attention will focus on whether López can sustain her form, whether Hull can finally shed her bridesmaid’s tag, and whether anyone can consistently derail Korda’s march.