US Women’s Open: Why Charlie Hull’s Lost Place Shows Major Honor Is Closer

While Hull embraced an all-out attack, Korda — who is determined to win golfing greatness — took a more pragmatic approach to winning her fourth major title.

She said she leaned heavily on caddy Jason McDade to make sure she got the coveted title. “When I got on the back nine, it was all Jay and I talking to him, one shot at a time,” the champion said.

“I didn’t get too far ahead of myself. Not looking at the leaderboard, seeing what other people were doing. It was one shot.”

Korda, who won the Chevron Championship in April, now has four wins and three second-place finishes in the 2026 special season.

No one in the women’s game knows how to cross the finish line better.

“The majors are to grind it out and also have a small window where they can be aggressive,” she said.

I’ve done a good job of staying patient and creating turnovers and knowing that I can be aggressive when I have a small window.

Like Hull, Korda had to overcome a frustrating start. Her sister Jessica said a subtle but unpleasant change in grip after the 73-over opened, during which cars turning right frequently disappeared.

Putting has often been her weak link, but she has three more shots on the green than the field and tops the statistical charts for putts.

“Even in the middle round I was like, well, am I ever going to win?” Korda said. “You always have those doubts, you’re only human.”

This was a classic US Open that tested every aspect of the game both technically and mentally. It was difficult to drive balls onto the greens because of the sticky approaches, but the sloping fairways were often too strong to hold.

Korda’s added height on her approach shots gave her a key advantage, but it was her composure to get up and down repeatedly that made the difference.

While Hull’s attack brought out the best of Britain, it would do well to host some of the qualities that made last week’s winner in future big tests.

Korda, on the other hand, could get the biggest win of her stellar career to date. “I don’t know if the weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she said.

“But I think I’m very proud of my fight this week and that little girl’s dream and check that off your bucket list.”

It would be a shame if we don’t hear Hull say the same thing sooner.