U.S. Women's Open 2026 preview, picks & analysis

LOTTIE WOAD is enjoying a dream start to her professional career and aims to take her game to the next level by winning the U.S. Women's Open this week.

The Englishwoman has been in the paid ranks for less than 12 months but is already fifth in the world rankings after her recent victory at the Kroger Queen City Championship.

You may recall that she won the Irish Open in 2025 while still an amateur and followed it by finishing in a tie for third place at the Evian. She then turned professional and promptly won the Scottish Open.

Still only 22 years of age, she will start the week at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California as one of the favourites, but she is going to face a formidable challenge from the likes of Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Twelve months ago, Sweden’s Maja Stark achieved an unlikely victory. Stark, the first Swedish winner since Annika Sorenstam won her third title in 2006, held off the challenge of Korda and Japan's Rio Takeda at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

Stark held off the challenge of Nelly Korda and Japan's Rio Takeda to secure the biggest victory of her career, while Korda was left to reflect on another near miss in a championship she is still chasing. 

"It's still very complicated," Korda said of her relationship with the U.S. Women's Open. "It's just an absolute heartbreaker."

Korda returned to the top of the world rankings in April when she won the Chevron Championship, her third major title and second victory in the event. She has already won three times in 2026 and now boasts 18 LPGA Tour titles. 

More than any other tournament, however, this is the one she so desperately wants to win. Despite her remarkable record, the U.S. Women's Open remains the glaring omission from an otherwise glittering CV.

Thitikul topped the world rankings in 2025, thanks to a pair of victories, but has since been passed by Korda.

The Thai star has already won twice in 2026 and remains one of the most consistent players in the women's game. With 22 worldwide victories, including nine on the LPGA Tour, she will head to Riviera as one of the leading contenders for a first major title.

Tournament winners:

It was won in 2015 by In Gee Chun, in 2016 by Brittany Lang, in 2017 by Park Sung-hyun, in 2018 by Ariya Jutanugarn, in 2019 by Lee Jong-eun, in 2020 by Kim A-lim, in 2021 and 2024 by Yuka Saso, in 2022 by Minjee Lee, in 2023 by Allisen Corpuz and last year by Maja Stark.

The course:

Riviera Country Club is a tree-lined course featuring plenty of bunkers. It was designed by George C Thomas and was described by Arnold Palmer as one of the greatest tests in the game. It is a par 71 that can be stretched to 7,400 yards.

Prize money:

Total prize money is $12m, with the winner collecting a cool $2.4m.

How to watch:

Thursday, June 4, Friday, June 5, Saturday, June 6, Sunday, June 7, Sky Sports Golf, 11pm

Form guide:

Nelly Korda admits that she is desperate to win this title and she arrives in superb form.

To win:

Nelly Korda. Major champion

Each way:

Lottie Woad. Wonderful temperament

Each way:

Jeeno Thitikul. In sparkling form

Five to follow:

Nelly Korda. Desperate to win this

Lottie Woad. Certain major winner

Jeeno Thitikul. Wondrous short game

Lydia Ko. Always there or thereabouts

Charley Hull. Loves this tournament

Five outsiders to watch:

Kiara Romero. Brilliant amateur

Rose Zhang. Has had injury issues

Anna Nordqvist. Looking to turn clock back

Bronte Law. Not been at her best

Yuna Araki. Could surprise