Korda, Kim Set Up Riviera U.S. Open Showdown

The 81st U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club has turned into exactly what women’s golf needed: a heavyweight fight with Nelly Korda, Sei Young Kim and a pack of major champions all chasing a Hollywood finish.

Korda, the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1, opened with a 73, then punched back with rounds of 67 and 67 to reach 6-under.

READ MORE: Nelly Korda Storms Into U.S. Open Lead

Her Saturday charge came with birdies on 16, 17 and 18, a ruthless closing kick that moved her into a share of the 54-hole lead with Kim.

Korda said major golf is about “experience and not getting frustrated,” especially when Riviera forces misses, scrambles and “crazy up-and-downs.”

Kim, a 13-time LPGA winner and 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA champion, is trying to grab her second major. She knows Sunday won’t be pretty. “It’s boring,” Kim said of staying patient, “but I have to do it.”

Two shots back, Jennifer Kupcho and In Gee Chun are lurking at 4-under. Kupcho, the 2022 Chevron champion, called the leaderboard full of “really great competitors” and said her plan is simple: “Go out and have fun.”

Chun, who won the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open and 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA, is chasing a career-redefining moment.

She said she’s leaned on “the people who trust me” and wants to “give something back” to fans and sponsors.

Ruoning Yin sits close after birdies on 13, 16 and 17 steadied her round. “Two shots back in a major is not a lot,” Yin said.

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Even at 2-under, Maja Stark and Allisen Corpuz remain dangerous. Corpuz said hearing her Los Angeles crowd cheer “just means a little more.”

Riviera is loaded. Sunday could get loud.

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