Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Top-ranked Nelly Korda chases a lifelong dream and Thailand’s second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul seeks her first major title when the 81st US Women’s Open begins on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. The 27-year-old American won her third career major title in April at the Chevron Championship and also won February’s LPGA Tournament of Champions and May’s LPGA Riviera Maya Open. Korda has never captured a US Women’s Open but hopes to change that this week in a 156-player showdown with a $12 million purse.
“Two weeks off before, really made sure to get a lot of grind time in. I feel pretty good,” Korda said. “This is the best week almost of the year. You’re playing against the best players in the world at an amazing venue in pristine condition. Just really excited to get this week going.” Korda shared second to Sweden’s Maja Stark in last year’s US Women’s Open, her best finish in 11 appearances and in a winless 2025 campaign.
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“I was just hungry for more,” said Korda. “Last year was just a weird year of not necessarily playing my best, but also when I did, not getting the bounces or just missing by a centimeter here and there. There’s no better rush of emotions than being in the hunt. There’s no better place to be than in the hunt on a back nine on Sunday at a major championship, especially at the Women’s Open.”
“It would have been a lifelong dream, but there’s more chances.” The first one comes this week with Stark fighting her nerves by considering the odds for a repeat triumph. “I feel a little bit more pressure than I usually do,” she said. “Then I just think what are the odds of winning it again? So that just takes the pressure away.” Stark found the seeking more satisfying than the having when it came to the trophy.
“I did kind of want to let it go. It’s weird,” Stark said. “It was fun to have it, but it’s more fun to play for it than to have it, I guess.” Korda became the first US woman to qualify for this year’s Solheim Cup team on Tuesday. “Getting to represent my country is always such a huge honor,” said Korda. “I’m just really excited to tee it up.”
– Korda inspires Jeeno –
Jeeno is packing her patience and awaiting her moment to attack at a US Open layout known for deep rough and lightning-fast greens. “If you keep really patient and wait until the time (is) coming and then you take those opportunities, it’s a good advantage for being in the US Open,” Jeeno said. “We don’t have to do anything different because when you change your routine, that’s when you change your mindset. We just want to make things the same.”
Jeeno says seeing Korda’s tough practice efforts is inspiring. “She’s number one in the world, definitely she’s going to work hard,” Jeeno said. “It just really inspires me to see her doing what she’s doing right now.”
© 2024 AFP
