Korda proves too strong as Jeon In-ji finishes fourth at US Women's Open

Jeon misses chance to reclaim title after 11 years; Korda wins her second major of the season

Jeon In-ji acknowledges applause from the gallery after putting on the 16th hole during the final round of the 81st US Women's Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Monday. [AFP]

Jeon In-ji mounted a fierce challenge against Nelly Korda of the United States at the US Women's Open, the season's second major with a $12.5 million purse, but fell short of the title.

Jeon carded four birdies and three bogeys for a 1-under-par 70 in the final round of the 81st US Women's Open, played Monday at Riviera Country Club (par 71) in Pacific Palisades, California.

Her total of 6-under-par 278 left her two strokes behind champion Korda (8-under-par 276), placing her fourth. It was her best finish of the season and her second top-10 result. She earned $581,535 (approximately 900 million won) in prize money.

Known for her ability to perform on the biggest stages — three of her four LPGA Tour victories have come in major championships — Jeon narrowly missed a chance to reclaim the title she won 11 years ago.

After sitting in a tie for third through three rounds, Jeon surged into a share of the lead Monday, putting herself in position for her first major title since the Women's PGA Championship in June 2022. Her game faltered on the back nine, however, and she could not hold on.

Nelly Korda of the United States smiles with the trophy after winning the US Women's Open on Monday. [AFP]

Jeon picked up birdies on the par-5 first hole and the par-4 seventh to go out 2 under, then added back-to-back birdies on the par-4 10th and par-5 11th to build momentum. She made consecutive bogeys at the par-4 12th and 13th, could not recover, and dropped another bogey on the par-4 18th to close out her round.

Kim Sei-young, who had shared the lead after three rounds, finished fifth at 5-under-par 279 after a 1-over-par 72 that included four birdies and five bogeys. She dropped two shots on the back nine alone, and her bid for a 14th LPGA Tour victory and her second major title in five years and eight months fell short.

Korda claimed her fourth win of the season and 19th on tour overall. Having already won the Chevron Championship — the season's first major — in April, she added the US Women's Open to cement her standing as the dominant force in women's golf. Her winner's check came to $2.5 million (approximately 3.88 billion won). The victory also made her the first American to win the event since Allison Copter in 2023.

Charley Hull of England and Gaby Lopez of Mexico closed with strong final rounds to share second place at 7-under-par 277.

yjc@heraldcorp.com