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The U.S. Women's Open Predictions - 4 contenders for victory in California
The 2026 U.S. Women's Open arrives at the iconic Riviera Country Club, with the world’s best competing for the season’s second Major. Defending champion Maja Stark returns, but all eyes are on form players Nelly Korda, Hyo-joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, and Lydia Ko—each enjoying impressive seasons so far. Given their consistency and current performance, these pros are the main contenders for the championship. The article recommends backing any of these four to lift the trophy in California, citing their recent records and past Major success.
- The U.S. Women's Open takes place between 4-7 June.
- The tournament takes place at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California.
- Nelly Korda, Hyo-joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, and Lydia Ko are key contenders for the U.S. Women's Open.
Expired
Nelly Korda has been in fine form this season (Getty Images)
An elite field of the world's best women's golfers will compete for the U.S. Women's Open title for the first time at the iconic Riviera Country Club. Who will win the second women's Major of the year in California come Sunday?
Maja Stark returns to defend her title after a two-stroke victory over Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda in 2025.
The Riviera Country Club has hosted some of golf’s most prestigious events, including the 1948 U.S. Open, the 1983 and 1995 PGA Championships, the 1998 U.S. Senior Open, and the 2017 U.S. Amateur. The club has also served as the home of the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour on 61 occasions.
Past and present Major winners in the field for Thursday's tee-off include Nelly Korda, Allisen Corpuz, Ariya Jutanugarn, Kim A-lim, Brittany Lang, Lee Jeong-eun, Minjee Lee, Park Sung-hyun, Yuka Saso, Maja Stark, Jennifer Kupcho, Lilia Vu, Chun In-gee, Amy Yang, Céline Boutier, Ayaka Furue, Brooke Henderson, Grace Kim, Ashleigh Buhai, Lydia Ko, Anna Nordqvist, Miyū Yamashita, and Michelle Wie West.
These are our selections that could win the title this weekend.
Nelly Korda
Nelly Korda has been on top of her game on the LPGA Tour in 2026, recording a victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, a 2nd at the Fortinet Founders Cup, a 2nd at the Ford Championship, a T2 at the Aramco Championship, a victory at the Chevron Championship, and a T8 at the Riviera Maya Open.
The number one-ranked golfer has featured 11 times at the U.S. Women's Open, finishing T64 in 2013, T59 in 2016, T44 in 2017, T10 in 2018, T39 in 2019, MC in 2020, MC in 2021, T8 in 2022, T64 in 2023, MC in 2024, and T2 in 2025.
Nelly Korda has been on top of her game this season and can go all the way in California this weekend.
Hyo-joo Kim
Hyo-joo Kim has been in outstanding form on the LPGA Tour this year, placing 3rd at the Honda LPGA Thailand, T21 at the HSBC Women's World Championship, a victory at the Founders Cup, a victory at the Ford Championship, T13 at the Aramco Championship, withdrew from the JM Eagle LA Championship, 6th at the Chevron Championship, and a victory at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship on the KLPGA.
The world's third-ranked player has contested the U.S. Women's Open on ten occasions, with results of MC in 2015, T38 in 2016, MC in 2017, 2nd in 2018, MC in 2019, T20 in 2021, MC in 2022, T6 in 2023, T12 in 2024, and MC in 2025.
Hyo-joo Kim will start confidently and can emerge as the winner at the Riviera Country Club after her performances this year.
Ruoning Yin
Ruoning Yin was in solid form at the start of the LPGA Tour season, finishing T17 at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, T15 at the Honda LPGA Thailand, T41 at the HSBC Women's World Championship, T24 at the Blue Bay LPGA, and T34 at the Ford Championship.
Yin has found another gear since those performances, placing T7 at the Aramco Championship, MC at the JM Eagle LA Championship, 2nd at the Mizuho Americas Open, and 4th at the Kroger Queen City Championship.
The five-time LPGA Tour winner has made four appearances at the U.S. Women's Open, with results of MC in 2021, T20 in 2023, T12 in 2024, and T4 in 2025.
Ruoning Yin has been performing well lately and can lift the trophy in California come Sunday.
Lydia Ko
Lydia Ko had an excellent beginning to her season on the LPGA Tour, placing 4th at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and T5 at the Honda LPGA Thailand before finishing T27 at the HSBC Women's World Championship, and T56 at the Fortinet Founders Cup.
However, Ko did not take long to regain her touch, placing 4th at the Ford Championship, T11 at the Aramco Championship, MC at the Chevron Championship, T18 at the Mizuho Americas Open, and T8 at the Kroger Queen City Championship.
The three-time Major winner has compiled a solid record at the U.S. Women's Open, finishing T36 in 2013, T15 in 2014, T12 in 2015, T3 in 2016, T33 in 2017, T49 in 2018, T39 in 2019, T13 in 2020, T35 in 2021, 5th in 2022, T33 in 2023, MC in 2024, and T26 in 2025.
Lydia Ko has been thereabouts this season and will be challenging for the title at the Riviera Country Club if she can replicate her recent performances.
Verdict
Nelly Korda has been in tremendous touch in 2026 and will fancy her chances to win back-to-back Majors this weekend.
Hyo-joo Kim has been in superb form this season and has strong claims to win the title in California.
Ruoning Yin has been knocking hard lately and can pocket the winner's cheque at the Riviera Country Club come Sunday.
Lydia Ko has the form to secure her maiden U.S. Women's Open title this weekend.
Hyo-joo Kim has been in superb form this season and has strong claims to win the title in California.
Ruoning Yin has been knocking hard lately and can pocket the winner's cheque at the Riviera Country Club come Sunday.
Lydia Ko has the form to secure her maiden U.S. Women's Open title this weekend.
Nelly Korda
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