Jeon In-ji eyes her first US Women's Open title in 11 years. [Photo=LPGA]
Jeon In-ji eyes her first US Women's Open title in 11 years. [Photo=LPGA]

Jeon In-ji is making a run at her first US Women's Open title in 11 years.

Jeon fired a 3-under-par 68 Saturday at Riviera Country Club (par 71, 6,699 yards) in Pacific Palisades, California, moving to a 3-under 139 total and into a share of third place alongside Kim Sei-young, Yoo Hyun-jo, Jennifer Kupcho of the United States, Gaby Lopez of Mexico and Hinako Shibuno of Japan.

The US Women's Open holds a special place in Jeon's career — it is the tournament that changed her life. In 2015, she won the title at Lancaster Country Club as a non-member in her very first appearance in the event. She entered the final round four strokes off the lead and staged a dramatic comeback to win by one.

"I never imagined I would come to America and play on the LPGA Tour," Jeon said. "But after winning in 2015, everything in my life changed. I'm here now, and I've made new friends." She added that life abroad can still be difficult with family and friends back in Korea, but said the confidence she has built around her new swing has kept her motivated to stay on tour.

That 2015 victory earned Jeon direct entry onto the LPGA Tour, and she made her full debut the following year. In her rookie season she captured a second major title at the Evian Championship and took home both Rookie of the Year honors and the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average.

She has since added two more wins — the 2018 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship and the 2022 KPMG Women's PGA Championship — giving her four LPGA Tour victories in all. Despite a modest win total, she has built a devoted following.

The past two years, however, were a struggle. Jeon scaled back her schedule and largely disappeared from leaderboards. Last winter she traveled to Vietnam to rebuild her swing with coach Kim Song-hee, then pushed her 2026 season debut back to March. The work appears to be paying off, as she has played some of her best golf of late.

Two consistent rounds have set Jeon up for an exciting weekend. After completing her second round, she said it was important to keep playing the way she did Saturday. "I want to stick to my game plan and not change anything," she said. "I'm trying to fully enjoy this week and not put unnecessary pressure on myself by thinking too far ahead. I think that will be the most important key to how my weekend goes."

Kim Sei-young, who sat one shot off the lead after the opening round, shared the top spot with Yin Ruoning of China and Allison Lee of the United States through the 17th hole, but made bogey on the par-4 18th to drop into a tie for third with Jeon, one back of the leaders. Kim's tee shot on 18 found a sloped rough, leaving her unable to hit the green in regulation, and she missed a 2.5-meter par putt.

Yin was the only player in the afternoon wave to post a bogey-free round, carding a 2-under 69 to reach 4-under 138 and share the lead with Allison Lee, who shot a 3-under 68.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States shot a 4-under 67 to climb into a share of ninth place at 2-under 140.

Veteran Shin Ji-yae dropped one shot but sits at 1-under 141 in a tie for 13th. Lee So-mi carded even par for the second straight day to share 18th place at even-par 142.

Yoon I-na, who had been near the top of the leaderboard after the first round, collapsed to an 8-over 79 and finished in a tie for 70th, missing the cut by one stroke alongside Lydia Ko of New Zealand.


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