For the first time in its history, the U.S. Women’s Open is heading to Riviera Country Club, one of the most recognizable venues in golf. The famed Southern California course has hosted some of the sport’s defining moments, from Ben Hogan’s victory in the 1948 U.S. Open to Tiger Woods making his PGA Tour debut as a 16-year-old. Now, another chapter is about to be written as 156 players compete for a share of the tournament’s $12 million purse.
Riviera presents a demanding test. At 6,699 yards, the George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell design rewards precision and punishes mistakes. Players will face uneven lies, dramatic elevation changes, and thick Kikuyu rough that can swallow even slightly errant drives. The greens are relatively small by modern standards, placing a premium on elite ball-striking and consistent putting over four difficult rounds.
Rising Women’s Stars Looking to Break Through
Among the most intriguing names in the field is Megha Ganne, the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion. Fresh off helping Stanford secure another NCAA title, Ganne arrives for her professional debut carrying fond memories of this championship after contending at Olympic Club as a teenager in 2021.
Julia Lopez Ramirez brings a different weapon to Riviera: power. The LPGA’s longest hitter in 2026, averaging more than 291 yards off the tee, nearly contended throughout last year’s U.S. Women’s Open before a costly finish dropped her to a tie for 19th. On a course expected to play long, her distance could prove valuable.
Former champion Allisen Corpuz enters with both experience and local familiarity. The 2023 U.S. Women’s Open winner has quietly assembled a strong season and ranks among the most accurate drivers on tour. Her California background and familiarity with similar George Thomas designs could provide an advantage.
Ina Yoon combines distance with an ability to recover from mistakes. Despite ranking outside the leaders in driving accuracy, she continues to hit greens at an impressive rate and already owns multiple top-six finishes this season.
Major Champions Eyeing Another Open Title
Lydia Ko arrives with significant motivation. A victory would complete the LPGA’s version of a Career Grand Slam, adding another accomplishment to an already remarkable résumé. Her short game remains among the best in the world, a critical asset on Riviera’s demanding greens.
Miyu Yamashita, the reigning AIG Women’s Open champion, continues to impress with her putting. Ranked first on tour in strokes gained putting, she has consistently placed near the top of leaderboards despite still searching for her first win of the season.
Hannah Green has quietly built one of the most reliable records in this championship, never missing a cut in seven previous appearances. With two victories already in 2026 and elite putting statistics, she enters as a serious contender.
Ruoning Yin’s ball-striking remains among the best on tour. Although she has yet to win this season, her recent runner-up finishes suggest she is close. If her putter cooperates, she could be difficult to stop.
The Favorites Enter Riviera
Jeeno Thitikul continues to search for her first major championship despite already owning an impressive collection of LPGA victories. Her ability to hit greens consistently makes her a natural fit for a demanding U.S. Women’s Open setup.
At the top of the rankings stands Nelly Korda. The world No. 1 has been dominant throughout 2026, winning three times and finishing runner-up three more. Her tee-to-green performance has separated her from nearly everyone else on tour. Entering Riviera, she remains the player many will be watching most closely.
With Riviera making its U.S. Women’s Open debut, the stage is set for a championship that combines history, challenge, and one of the strongest fields in women’s golf. By week’s end, another name will join the course’s long list of memorable champions.
