Jennifer Kupcho took the lead after the first round of the US Women's Open at Riviera Country Club with a five-under-par 66 on June 4, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. She made seven birdies and two bogeys in the round to hold a one-shot advantage.
South Korea's Kim Sei-young sits second with a four-under-par 67, just a stroke behind Kupcho. "This course is really famous in the world, so I'm very happy to play here this week," Kim said [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Japan's Hinako Shibuno are tied for third, three shots off the lead [2, 5].
World No. 1 Nelly Korda struggled off the tee, shooting two-over-par 73. She finished tied with world No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand. "I honestly just hit it really poorly off the tee. I just felt like I was grinding to make safe pars. It wasn't a great day... I have honestly no idea where this came from," Korda said [1, 2, 3, 4].
Kupcho said the Riviera course suited her style well. "It's kind of a ball-striker's paradise, just hit it down the fairway, hit it on the green and make the putts," she said. "I was hitting the ball well today, also rolling the ball really well with the putter, so seeing a lot of things fall definitely helped with the confidence with my putter." She noted her length off the tee as an advantage on the course. Kupcho missed the cut in the last three US Women's Opens before this week [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Allisen Corpuz made the only eagle of the round by holing out from 86 yards on the 17th hole [5]. Playing conditions were challenging but manageable, with sun breaking through clouds and wind picking up during the day at Riviera [5].
Kupcho said she expects to make the weekend cut: "Barring something crazy doesn't happen tomorrow, I'll be playing on the weekend." The second round is scheduled for June 5.
