Nelly Korda Shoots 73-67-67 to Tie for Lead Entering Final Round of 2026 US Women’s Open

Nelly Korda shot 73 in the first round, 67 in the second and 67 in the third at the 2026 US Women’s Open at Riviera in Pacific Palisades, moving into a tie for the lead with one round remaining. Only one other player has broken 70 in both the second and third rounds this week. Korda has already secured three victories in 2026, among them a second Chevron Championship title at Memorial Park.

She finished tied for second at the 2025 US Women’s Open at Erin Hills, where Maja Stark claimed the title. Korda said the experience taught her to avoid over-tightening when contending for a major. “That I want to put myself into that position more and more,” she said.

“Yeah, I mean, I would definitely say that I’m not going to get too frustrated. ” “So I play my best golf when I’m happy, free Nelly, and I’m kind of joking around out there,” she added. ” The 27-year-old has 19 LPGA Tour wins and is approaching her 20th.

During the 2025 season, 29 different players won LPGA events and Korda was not among them. In 2026 she has finished outside the top two only once, a tie for eighth at the Kroger Queen City Championship. Korda described a deliberate mindset shift that began after that 2025 campaign.

“I’ve tried to have a mindset shift,” she said. ” “That’s kind of been my attitude this year is like no matter what it throws at me, if I’m just going to get a silly bounce here or there I’ll end up in a divot like I’ll figure it out,” she continued.

“And that’s kind of been the attitude I’ve tried to change to, because I think the worst thing that you can be, but which I am still, is a perfectionist in this sport,” she said.

” “Like those frustrations throughout the round can really build when it’s all kind of not going your way,” she added. ” A victory on Sunday would place Korda inside the top 20 on the all-time list for major victories.