Nelly Korda carded a second straight 4-under 67 at the U.S. Women’s Open on Saturday, finishing even with Sei Young Kim at 6-under 207 after a stretch of three consecutive birdies.
LOS ANGELES — Nelly Korda didn’t just climb up the leaderboard at Riviera. She sprinted through it, finishing her Saturday round with three straight birdies and hauling herself into a share of the lead.
Korda posted a second straight 4-under 67, ending even with Sei Young Kim at 6-under 207. The world No. 1. fresh off a dominant run at The Chevron Championship in April that earned her a three-time major winner’s status in the biggest moments. now has prime position for Sunday’s final round of the U.S. Women’s Open.
It wasn’t where she started. After an opening-round 73 left her seven shots behind the top, Korda got into contention by turning in Friday’s lowest score and then surging steadily on moving day in front of the week’s biggest crowd at Riviera, the 100-year-old country club in Pacific Palisades.
“Tt’s always amazing to be in this position,” Korda said. “That’s what we work so hard for, to be in this spot. So whatever happens tomorrow happens, but I’m going to give it my all and see what the outcome is.”
Saturday’s rhythm belonged to her. She chipped in from the fringe for birdie on the third hole, then followed with an 18-foot birdie putt on the sixth. When her momentum finally narrowed toward the finish, it didn’t fade.
Korda reached the par-5 17th green in two and then smashed a 154-yard approach shot on the 18th to 4 feet, closing out the round by pushing past the field with a late birdie spree.
Her run also carried an added layer of pressure. Korda had never posted consecutive rounds in the 60s in a U.S. Women’s Open before—an odd gap to close considering how often she’s been at or near the top lately. Last year. she tied for second at Erin Hills. but had never strung together two straight 60s in the championship before this week.
She pointed to experience and an ongoing focus on her mental game as the difference.
“I’m not going to get too frustrated,” Korda said. “I think last year I really. really wanted it. and the more you want it. sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous. So I play my best golf when I’m happy. free Nelly and I’m kind of joking around out there. That’s the attitude that I’m going to have (Sunday).”.
Kim, for her part, kept Korda from running away with it. Sei Young Kim was one shot off the lead after each of the first two rounds, and she stayed on pace with a steady 68 on Saturday—after a birdie on 17—to finish right there with Korda.
“I tried to keep my patience and just waited for a chance,” said Kim, a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour. “When the chances came to me, I just made it.”
The leaderboard was crowded enough to feel like a constant exchange of momentum. Several players traded the lead during the sunny afternoon, and with major winners filling the mix, seven players were within two shots of the top.
Jennifer Kupcho, the first-round leader, and 2015 U.S. Women’s Open champion In Gee Chun sat a shot back at 5 under after each shot 69. Ruoning Yin, Gaby Lopez of Mexico, and Nasa Hataoka of Japan were also in the mix at 4 under as second-round co-leaders.
Alison Lee, a Southern California native, was another name in the frame. She was one shot off the lead on the back nine, but made three late bogeys and finished at 3 under. Lee—who gave birth to son Levi 15 months ago—would be only the fourth mother to win the U.S. Open and the first since Juli Inkster in 2002.
Yin’s Saturday showed the kind of see-saw that can decide a Sunday. She made three bogeys on the front nine, then got back to 4 under with two late birdies.
England’s Charley Hull shot Saturday’s low round at 65, making seven birdies and moving just three shots back of the lead. Asterisk Talley, a 17-year-old amateur from California’s Central Valley, shot a 66.
For the final round. the stakes are straightforward and heavy: Korda’s chance at a second straight major title and first U.S. Open championship now sits only a round away, shared at the top with Kim. The difference between belief and collapse will likely come down to one thing—whether the late surge stays steady when the crowd goes quiet and the pressure finally turns personal.
Nelly Korda Sei Young Kim U.S. Women's Open Riviera Pacific Palisades LPGA golf leaderboard Sunday final round
Birdies? Sounds like she just lucked into it idk.
So she was 7 shots behind after a 73 then suddenly 4-under 67? That’s gotta be something with the greens or like, the course change right?
“prime position for Sunday” but isn’t she already tied? I saw another clip where they said she pulled away, so which is it?? Also Sei Young Kim sounds familiar like from the men’s open? maybe same tournament?
Riviera always wins or something. Like the course is basically rigged for certain players with the right swing. She chipped in and made a 18-foot putt so yeah… putters matter more than they wanna admit. If she closes strong tomorrow then everyone will act shocked even though she was the world #1 like the whole time.