World number one Nelly Korda captured her first US Women’s Open championship at Riviera Country Club in a performance that defies conventional golf wisdom. The American star finished at 8-under par to claim victory by a single stroke, but the path to her triumph included a statistic that makes the win appear nearly impossible. Korda missed 30 greens in regulation across 72 holes, yet still managed to conquer one of the most demanding layouts in professional golf. The victory adds another major to her 2026 season that already includes multiple wins and runner-up finishes.
On the PGA Tour, JT Poston emerged victorious at the Memorial Tournament after a marathon Sunday that saw him complete 31 holes of golf. The journey to his fourth career win was anything but straightforward, as Poston battled through a compressed schedule and a playoff to outlast Ryan Gerard at Muirfield Village. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Tyrrell Hatton secured his first worldwide victory since January 2025 at LIV Andalucia, defeating Jon Rahm by two strokes in Spain.
Korda’s improbable victory rewrites major championship standards
The 58% greens in regulation percentage Korda posted at Riviera stands in stark contrast to typical major championship winners. Rory McIlroy missed 24 greens when he won the Masters in April. Jacob Bridgeman hit 16 more greens than Korda when he won The Genesis at Riviera earlier this year. JJ Spaun, last year’s US Open champion, missed just 21 greens en route to his title. Missing 30 greens in any professional tournament typically eliminates any chance of contention, let alone winning a major championship on one of golf’s most respected courses.
Korda’s short game and putting became her salvation throughout the week. Her putter carried the load, compensating for approach shots that failed to find the putting surface with alarming frequency. The final putt on the 72nd hole nearly gave spectators collective heart failure when her ball caught the left edge of the cup from just inside three feet. The winning putt appeared headed left of the target before gravity pulled it into the hole at the last possible moment.
- Korda started with 2-over par in the opening round before rallying
- Her 2026 season results now read: 1, 2, 2, T-2, 1, 1, T-8, 1
- She has won all three stateside major championships in her career
- The victory positions her for a potential third consecutive major at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in late June
The win at Riviera carries significant weight beyond the trophy. As the face of women’s golf and the top-ranked player in the world, Korda delivered a storybook victory in Los Angeles. The comeback from an opening round above par to claim the title by one stroke adds dramatic narrative to an already impressive championship performance. If she had hit just a handful more greens throughout the week, the final margin could have been substantially wider.
Poston survives marathon Sunday at Jack’s place
JT Poston began his Sunday at Muirfield Village with 13 holes remaining in his third round after weather suspended play Saturday afternoon. He posted a 3-under 69 to grab what appeared to be a commanding lead heading into the final round. The comfortable margin evaporated on the back nine as Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Tommy Fleetwood and Ryan Gerard mounted serious challenges. With three holes to play, four players shared the lead and Poston’s momentum seemed to be fading.
Gerard seized control with a 37-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, but Poston answered immediately with his own birdie on 18 to force extra holes. The first playoff hole produced matching pars, sending both players back to tee off for the 33rd time on Sunday. Gerard three-putted the second playoff hole, opening the door for Poston to claim his fourth career PGA Tour victory.
The win came from an unlikely source. Poston entered the Memorial with 150-1 odds and had failed to record a single top-20 finish in 13 starts during 2026. He missed four cuts and showed no form suggesting a signature event victory was imminent. His Friday round of 65 stands as perhaps the most impressive 18 holes played on Tour this season, especially considering no other player in the field broke 69 in the second round despite Poston recording a bogey during his round.
Hatton opens up about fatherhood after LIV breakthrough
Tyrrell Hatton ended a lengthy drought by capturing LIV Andalucia in Spain, holding off Jon Rahm by two strokes for his first victory since January 2025. The Englishman, known for his pessimistic demeanor inside the ropes, revealed a different side after the win. Speaking to media following his triumph, Hatton discussed how becoming a father changed his perspective and motivation on the golf course.
The 33-year-old’s comments in Spain echoed remarks he made after finishing tied for third at the Masters earlier this year. Hatton played his final six holes at Augusta National in 4-under par to secure a spot in the 2027 Masters. He explained that thinking about his daughter provided the push he needed down the stretch at Augusta, including the motivation to return with his family for the Par-3 Contest.
Hatton ranks among the top five players competing on LIV Golf, but victories had been scarce since his lone circuit win at LIV Nashville in 2024. The breakthrough at Valderrama represents both a return to form and validation of his decision to join the breakaway tour. His unfiltered approach to media interactions makes him one of the more quotable figures in professional golf, and his willingness to discuss personal matters added depth to what could have been a routine victory press conference.
Weekend showcases depth across professional golf
The simultaneous staging of the US Women’s Open at Riviera and the Memorial at Muirfield Village delivered on expectations for quality competition. Both venues tested the world’s best players with demanding course setups that required precision and mental fortitude. Weather delays at the Memorial compressed the schedule and added an endurance element that typically doesn’t factor into professional tournaments.
Korda’s performance stands as the weekend’s most remarkable achievement given the statistical improbability of winning a major while missing 42% of greens in regulation. Her ability to salvage par after par from difficult positions around the greens separated her from the field. The mental strength required to execute under pressure on the 72nd hole, with a short putt for the championship, demonstrated why she holds the number one ranking.
Poston’s resilience through 31 holes on Sunday, followed by two playoff holes, showcased a different type of champion. Coming into the week without momentum or recent success, he found his best golf when it mattered most. The signature event victory elevates his profile and secures his spot in key tournaments for the remainder of the season. Hatton’s win on LIV adds another chapter to the ongoing narrative of competitive golf across multiple tours, with established players finding success in different formats and venues around the globe.
