Nelly Korda's U.S. Women's Open Moment: Is This Finally It?
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Alright, let’s cut the crap. The U.S. Women’s Open is here. And the biggest question on everyone’s mind? Can Nelly Korda finally snag that elusive major? She’s been playing some absolutely insane golf this year, right? Like, seriously dominant. But we all remember what happened at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open. A total meltdown. So, is this Riviera test her moment? Or is it going to be another gut-punch?This isn’t just about Nelly, though. There are always other stories brewing in these big championships. And then there’s the whole damn PGA Tour schedule mess. It’s like they can’t get anything right. Let’s dive in.
Nelly's Reignited Dominance: What's Different This Time?
Look, Nelly Korda is a machine. Her 2024 season was something else, six wins in seven starts. Then she choked at the U.S. Women’s Open, shot an 80, and missed the cut. Brutal. Followed it up with two more missed cuts. You’d think that would break someone. But nope. This year? It’s looking eerily similar to that dominant stretch. Seven events, three wins, three runner-ups. Her worst finish? Eighth. Eighth! That’s her worst. It’s hard to even fathom.She’s more consistent this season. Way more consistent. And that 2024 disaster? Chalk it up to a learning experience. A harsh one, sure, but still. Riviera, too. It’s a course that seems to suit her game. Long hitters, good ball-strikers – that’s what the USGA likes to throw at you, and Nelly’s got both in spades. She’s definitely the favorite. But the mental game at these majors? It’s a beast. We saw it in 2024. Anything can happen.But let’s talk numbers. In 2024, her strokes gained was 2.86. This year? Through seven starts, it’s 4.03. That’s a massive jump. Nearly 1.2 shots better per round. Stunning. She’s also hitting it ten yards further off the tee than two years ago. Ten yards! Her only real hiccup, if you can even call it that, is her putting. If she can get that going at Riviera, this thing could be over before Sunday even starts. Seriously.
Beyond Nelly: Other U.S. Women's Open Storylines to Watch
Sure, Nelly’s quest for major number four is the main event. But there are other players and narratives worth keeping an eye on.
- The Amateurs: We’ve got some seriously talented amateurs teeing it up. Think Kiara Romero, the top-ranked player. Then there’s Maria Jose Marin, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur champ. And Paula Martin Sampedro from Stanford, fresh off a NCAA title win. These kids have bright pro futures. I’m genuinely curious to see if any of them can make some noise on the weekend. It’s always fun to see the next generation emerge.
- Jeeno Thitikul’s Major Quest: Can Jeeno finally shed that “best player without a major” label? She’s been close. So damn close. But that first major is always the hardest to get. She’s in good form, won the Mizuho earlier this month. But major championship golf? That’s a whole different animal. It’s a different kind of pressure.
- Julia Lopez Ramirez: This second-year player from Spain is a bomber. She averages 291 yards off the tee, leading the LPGA. She’s also 10th in greens in regulation. Last year, she finished top 20 at the U.S. Women’s Open as a rookie. I don’t see her winning – her short game and putting aren’t quite there yet. But if you’re lucky enough to be there in person, she’d be a blast to follow. Pure power.
Korda vs. Scheffler: Who Takes the Trophy?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Nelly Korda wins her first U.S. Women’s Open, or Scottie Scheffler three-peats at the Memorial? This is actually a tough one. Scheffler is due. He’s been finishing third or better in four of his last five starts. He’s got two wins at Muirfield Village and two other third-place finishes there. He’s a machine too.But I’m leaning towards Nelly. I just have this feeling. This could be the biggest win of her LPGA career.Scottie, on the other hand… he’s been close too many times this season to be stuck on just one win. Jack Nicklaus’s event? He’s going to want to conquer that.Then you’ve got the “Scottie Who?” crowd. The guy hasn’t won in ten starts. Ten! That’s crazy for him. So yeah, gimme Korda. If she can find that putting stroke, this could be a transcendent week for her. On one of golf’s biggest stages. Imagine that.
The PGA Tour Schedule: A Hot Mess
Now, let’s talk about the real dumpster fire. Scheffler and Rory McIlroy playing against each other in a Signature Event. Oddly enough, it’s the first time they’ve both played in one since the Arnold Palmer Invitational three months ago. Forget the two-track schedule talk for 2028, the bigger fields, the relegation – is this the best damn example of why the PGA Tour schedule needs a complete overhaul?Yes. Absolutely yes. The Tour knows it. There’s too much golf. Even with a two-track system, there will still be too much. But if we can get the best players competing against each other, say, 20 times a year, and they actually show up? That’s a win. But it needs to stick. The schedule needs stability. Not constant tweaks. Is this a Signature Event? Is the Florida Swing changing again? Are the playoffs changing *again*? The PGA Tour’s evolution, while sometimes necessary, has been an own-goal. It’s impossible to keep up.We need to see the stars together more often. But we also can’t oversaturate the market. It sounds like Brian Rolapp gets this, but crafting a schedule that hits that sweet spot? It’s not going to be easy.What concerns me even more than having every star in every big event is reinstituting cuts in all of them. We need some mid-tournament drama! And expanding the fields. Give us more underdog stories. Relegation sounds cool, but if the top flight is too exclusive, it’s going to get stale. Fast.
Jackson Koivun: The Next Big Thing?
The Stanford women’s team just won their third NCAA title in five years. Now it’s the men’s turn at the NCAA Championship. Keep an eye on Jackson Koivun, the Auburn junior. He’s won six of his last nine starts and might turn pro this summer. What makes him such a hot prospect?This kid is the real deal. Six wins in nine starts? That’s insane at any level. He’s already shown flashes on the PGA Tour. His coach raves about him. Lofty expectations like that aren’t placed on just anyone. He’s in the U.S. Open, but has to stay amateur to keep his spot. He could turn pro after that. Golf fans need to know this name.I can’t say I watch a ton of college golf, but Koivun seems to have that “it” factor. But dominating college and dominating the pros are two different things. We’ve seen plenty of “can’t-miss” prospects falter. So, for now, I’m in wait-and-see mode.Wait and see?! We’ve already seen, man! In seven PGA Tour starts last year, Koivun had FOUR top-11 finishes. His last three of those? T6, T5, T4. Then he went back to Auburn and posted a 67.9 scoring average. That’s just stupid. The kid is destined for big things. Period.—So, will Nelly Korda finally get her U.S. Women’s Open trophy? Or will Scottie Scheffler continue his dominance? And will the PGA Tour ever figure out its schedule? We’ll have to wait and see. But one thing’s for sure: golf keeps serving up the drama. Keep your eyes peeled.The official U.S. Women’s Open website is a great resource for all the latest information on the tournament.