World No. 1 Nelly Korda capped off a dramatic final round at the first Women’s Open ever held at Riviera by sealing victory with a moment that left even her stunned. After her final shot, Korda covered her mouth in disbelief before breaking into laughter a fitting reaction to a win that felt almost surreal.
Korda closed the tournament at 8‑under, emerging from a crowded leaderboard that saw multiple players share the lead throughout a windy and unpredictable finale. “I feel like I’m in a dream,” she said afterward. “I just can’t even explain how much this means to me with all of you here cheering me on.”
Her decisive moment came at the 17th hole, where she drained a clutch 9‑foot birdie putt to break free from a four‑way tie with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, England’s Charley Hull, and three‑time major champion In Gee Chun.
Chun, who carded a 70 to finish fourth at 6‑under, had a chance to catch Korda but faltered late, missing an 8‑foot par putt on the final hole her third bogey in the last seven holes. Fellow South Korean Sei Young Kim finished fifth at 5‑under after a round of 72.
Korda then calmly two‑putted for par on the 18th to secure the title and claim the US$2.5 million (A$3.55 million) winner’s share from the Open’s record US$12.5 million (A$17.7 million) purse.
The victory marks another milestone in a standout season for the 27‑year‑old, who also won The Chevron Championship in April. With her composure under pressure and a growing list of major triumphs, Korda continues to cement her place at the top of women’s golf.
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