US Women’s Open: Nelly Korda claims thrilling win as Charley Hull narrowly misses out in California | Golf News
World No. 1 Nelly Korda scored a surprise victory at the US Women’s Open as Charley Hull’s maiden title bid continued despite a historic weekend in California.
Korda lived up to his billing as the pre-tournament favorite by claiming a one-shot win at Riviera Country Club, posting a two-under 69 to finish at eight under and atop the crowded leaderboard.
The American rolled in a crucial birdie on the 17th hole and made two putts to become the first woman since Inbee Park to win the first two majors of the season, as Hull finished tied with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez.
Hull followed up a third-round 65 by adding a four-under 67 to equal the lowest 36-hole total in US Women’s Open history, with the Englishwoman mixing an eagle with five birdies and three bogeys during her charge on Sunday.
The latest miss means Hull finished second in the majors without a single win, while In Gee Chun finished another shot back in fourth place ahead of Korda team-mate Sei Young Kim.
Korda has played a major role in the Riviera
Hull got off to a dream start in his final round when he followed up a 12-foot eagle on the par-five first with a birdie at the third, momentarily lifting him into the lead, only for Korda and Kim to make a birdie start to regain their overnight refuge.
Momentum returned with Hull when he went inches away from a hole-in-one at the sixth, going in for birdie, but Kim and Korda both birdied the same hole to move to 8 under.
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Charley Hull was inches away from making a hole-in-one at the US Women’s Open
Chun saw his title hopes solidified with a chip-in birdie at the seventh, when Korda and Kim both made bogey, while Hull responded by ending his front 9 with a dropped shot by briefly charging into a solo lead with back-to-back birdies after the turn.
Hull missed from 10 feet to save 12 and three-putted 14 to fall two behind Chun, who saw a birdie start on his back nine canceled out by bogeys on his next two holes.
Five players were separated by one shot with just four holes remaining, and Hull rallied to birdie the 17th and roll from the 10th to save par at the end and set the clubhouse target.
Lopez bogeyed three of the first four holes behind him, then joined Hull at seven when he overturned a bogey on 16 with a 15-footer at the last, but it was Korda who took the lead after ending his par streak with an eight-foot birdie at 17.
Korda found the par-four 18th green in regulation to leave his two putts to win, and the American left the first hole to two feet before collecting to seal his fourth global victory of the year.
More to follow…
What’s next?
The LPGA Tour heads to Midland Country Club in Michigan for the Dow Championship, a two-man tournament that begins on Thursday, while the next event on the Ladies European Tour will be the Dutch Ladies Open from June 19-21.
The men’s major season continues with the US Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 18-21, before next up for the women is the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine from June 25-28, both live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream golf without a contract
