Nelly Korda arrived at the U.S. Women’s Open carrying the kind of consistency most players can only dream about. The world No. 1 had finished no worse than tied for eighth in 10 of her previous 11 starts worldwide, and after capturing the Chevron Championship earlier this season, expectations were naturally high as she teed it up at Riviera Country Club. Instead, the opening round proved an unexpected struggle, leaving Korda searching for answers.
The American carded a two-over-par 73, a score that leaves her seven shots behind first-round leader Jennifer Kupcho. While the deficit is not impossible to overcome, Korda’s biggest concern appeared to be the manner in which she reached that number.
Korda Left Searching for Answers
Starting her round on the 10th hole, Korda initially looked comfortable when she picked up a birdie at the 11th. Any early momentum quickly disappeared, however, as consecutive bogeys at the 12th and 13th knocked her off course. She battled throughout the remainder of the round and briefly returned to even par with a birdie at the first hole. More mistakes followed, though, with bogeys at the third and seventh eventually dropping her further down the leaderboard.
Afterward, Korda did not hide her frustration. She pointed directly to her driving as the primary issue.
“I honestly just hit it really poorly off the tee,” Korda said. “Found myself in a lot of trouble on the wrong side of a lot of these pins. I just felt like I was grinding to make safe pars.”
The 27-year-old admitted the performance caught her by surprise. According to Korda, she had been striking the ball well throughout practice rounds earlier in the week and could not immediately explain what changed once tournament play began.
“It wasn’t a great day,” she said. “I hit it really well Monday through Wednesday, so I have honestly no idea where this came from. I’m going to go to the range.”
Korda also revealed she has been dealing with swing issues that have lingered beyond this event.
“I’ve just been feeling really stuck in my swing and not being able to release it,” she explained. “I was sending it out right in Cincinnati, too. I put in a lot of hours on the range, and I can’t seem to really figure it out.”
Kupcho Takes Early Open Control
While Korda searches for solutions, Jennifer Kupcho sits atop the leaderboard after a brilliant five-under-par 66. The 2022 Chevron Championship winner produced seven birdies during her round and looked comfortable throughout the day.
Kupcho credited both her ball striking and putting for the strong start.
“I was hitting the ball well today, also rolling the ball really well with the putter,” she said. “So seeing a lot of things fall definitely helped with the confidence in my putter.”
She also spoke about her comfort level at Riviera Country Club, describing the course as one that suits her eye and allows her to play freely.
“I kind of just felt at home. I feel like I really like the golf course. It kind of just flies by. I don’t know, I feel like I just really, really like the golf course.”
After missing the cut in each of the last three U.S. Women’s Opens, Kupcho acknowledged that a strong opening round removes some immediate pressure heading into Friday.
“I’ve missed the last three US Open cuts. So barring something crazy doesn’t happen tomorrow, I’ll be playing on the weekend,” she said.
Chasers Remain Within Striking Distance
Just one shot behind is South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who opened with a four-under 67. The 2020 Women’s PGA Championship winner started and finished strongly, recording back-to-back birdies early in her round before adding three straight birdies late to stay within striking distance of the lead.
Kim is joined near the top by fellow South Koreans Hyunjo Yoo and Ina Yoon, while Mexico’s Gaby Lopez also remained in contention despite surrendering ground after reaching six under through her first 10 holes before three bogeys slowed her charge.
Among the other notable names, England’s Charley Hull and amateur standout Lottie Woad matched Korda’s two-over 73. Ireland’s Leona Maguire endured a more difficult day, posting a five-over 76.
With three rounds still remaining, Korda remains very much in the championship. But after an opening round she described as a mystery, her immediate focus will be finding answers on the practice range before the tournament slips further away.
