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80th U.S. Women’s Open Kicks Off at Erin Hills with Korda, Ko and Thitikul Leading

Featuring a $12 million purse, the par-72 layout is notorious for wind-whipped fairways with deep rough.

Apr 27, 2025; The Woodlands, Texas, USA; Nelly Korda hits a tee shot on the first hole during the final round of The Chevron Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Katelyn Kong, a rising sophomore at UC Irvine, will tee off in the U.S. Women’s Open on Thursday at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. She earned a spot in the prestigious tournament after shooting rounds of 69 and 66 to finish at 9-under-par 135 and win her qualifier on May 7 at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai. (Photo courtesy of UC Irvine Athletics)

Overview

  • Featured groups include world No. 1 Nelly Korda paired with Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson teeing off Thursday afternoon.
  • Korda enters seeking her first U.S. Women’s Open title after never finishing higher than a tie for eighth in 10 prior starts and has preached patience amid a winless 2025 season.
  • Lydia Ko targets the only major missing from her resume to complete a career grand slam while Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul arrives as early favorite following her Mizuho Americas Open victory.
  • Defending champion Yuka Saso aims to become the first three-time U.S. Women’s Open winner in five seasons as officials warn that wind will be a major factor at Erin Hills.
  • Eighteen-year-old amateur Katelyn Kong earned her spot through an open qualifier and will make her major debut alongside 155 professionals.