Photo Credit: Seat Geek
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The 2026 U.S. Women’s Open brings a historic milestone to women’s golf. For the first time, the championship will be played at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. The iconic venue has hosted many memorable moments in golf history. Ben Hogan won the 1948 U.S. Open there, and Tiger Woods made his PGA Tour debut at Riviera as a teenager. Riviera will provide one of the toughest tests in women’s golf. The George C. Thomas-designed course features narrow fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and thick Kikuyu rough. The championship layout will measure approximately 6,699 yards and play as a par 71. Fast greens and demanding approach shots will challenge every player in the 156-player field. The tournament purse is $12 million, with the winner earning $2.4 million.
The event also marks the first U.S. Women’s Open held in Los Angeles County. Riviera is celebrating its centennial year, making the championship even more significant. World No. 1 Nelly Korda enters as one of the leading favorites. Korda already owns three victories in 2026, including the Chevron Championship. That victory gave her a third major title. She has played seven LPGA events this season, winning three and finishing runner-up three times. Despite her success, the U.S. Women’s Open remains one of the few major achievements missing from her résumé. Last year, she finished tied for second, two strokes behind champion Maja Stark.
Jeeno Thitikul also arrives in excellent form. The world No. 2 has already won twice this season and continues searching for her first major championship. Thitikul ranks among the LPGA’s most consistent performers and hits a high percentage of greens in regulation. Her ball-striking should be a major advantage at Riviera. Lydia Ko is another player drawing attention. The New Zealand star is pursuing a career grand slam. A U.S.
Women’s Open victory would complete one of the sport’s most impressive accomplishments. Ko has already posted three top-five finishes during the 2026 season and remains one of golf’s elite short-game players. Several other contenders could make a serious run. Ruoning Yin has recorded two runner-up finishes this season and remains one of the LPGA’s strongest ball-strikers. Hannah Green has won twice in 2026 and has never missed a U.S. Women’s Open cut. Miyu Yamashita enters with four top-five finishes this year and ranks first on tour in strokes gained putting.
One emerging player to watch is England’s Lottie Woad. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise since turning professional. Woad won the Scottish Open shortly after leaving the amateur ranks and recently captured the Kroger Queen City Championship. Her strong results have elevated her to fifth in the world rankings. Many believe she has the talent to contend immediately in major championships. Amateur talent will also be on display. Twenty-eight amateurs qualified for the championship, including nine of the top 10 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Stanford graduate Megha Ganne begins her professional career at Riviera after helping the Cardinal win another NCAA title. Ganne previously impressed at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, where she played in the final group on Sunday as a teenager. The field includes several notable family connections. World Amateur No. 1 Kiara Romero joins her sister Kaleiya Romero in the championship. The Iwai twins, Akie and Chizzy, are also competing. Former champions in the field include Michelle Wie West, Allisen Corpuz, Brittany Lang, Ariya Jutanugarn, Minjee Lee, In Gee Chun, Yuka Saso, and defending champion Maja Stark. One of the biggest storylines this week involves who will not be competing. Lexi Thompson failed to qualify and will miss the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time since 2007.
Thompson withdrew from final qualifying in Florida, ending a remarkable streak of 19 consecutive appearances. The former major champion released an emotional statement reflecting on her relationship with the championship. Thompson recalled qualifying as a 12-year-old in 2007 and described the event as the foundation of her professional career. She admitted missing the tournament was difficult but expressed pride in her streak of 19 straight appearances. Thompson came closest to winning the championship in 2021 at Olympic Club. She held a five-shot lead during the final round before a difficult back nine allowed Yuka Saso to force a playoff. Saso eventually captured the title, leaving Thompson one stroke short of victory.
The championship’s recent winners include In Gee Chun, Brittany Lang, Park Sung-hyun, Ariya Jutanugarn, Jeongeun Lee6, A Lim Kim, Yuka Saso, Minjee Lee, Allisen Corpuz, and Maja Stark. This impressive list highlights the depth of talent required to win the event. As Riviera prepares to host women’s golf’s most prestigious championship for the first time, the stage is set for a memorable week. The course will demand power, precision, patience, and elite putting. Whether it is Korda seeking redemption, Thitikul chasing a first major, Ko pursuing history, or a young star announcing herself to the world, Riviera is ready to add another chapter to golf history
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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