US Women’s Open: Nellie Korda claims thrilling victory as Charlie Hull narrowly misses out on major victory in California | golf news

World No 1 Nellie Korda grabbed a dramatic victory at the US Women’s Open as Charlie Hull’s wait for her elusive first major continues despite a historic weekend comeback in California.

Corda lived up to his billing as the pre-tournament favorite to claim a one-shot victory at Rivera Country Club, posting a two-under 69 to finish at eight under and hold onto a crowded major leaderboard.

The American rolled in a crucial birdie on the par-five 17th hole and eventually went two-putt to become the first woman since Inby Park to win the first two majors of the season, as Hull finished in a tie-second with Mexico’s Gabby Lopez.

Hull followed a third-round 65 with a four-under 67 to equal the lowest 36-hole total in US Women’s Open history, with the Englishwoman mixing three bogeys with an eagle and five birdies during her Sunday charge.

The recent near-miss means he has now finished runner-up in five majors without a win, with In Ji Chun a further shot behind Korda’s playing partner Sae Young Kim in fourth place.

How Korda made a big thriller on the Riviera

Hull had a dream start to his final round when he followed up a 12-foot eagle on the par-five first with a birdie at the third, temporarily lifting him to a share of the lead, only for Korda and Kim to start birdies to restore their overnight buffer.

Momentum swung back with Hal as he inches away from a hole-in-one at the par-three sixth, tapping in for birdie, but Kim and Korda both bogeyed the same hole to move to eight under.

Chun saw his title hopes rise with a chip-in birdie at the seventh, where Korda and Kim both bogeyed, while Hull responded to finish his front nine with a drop shot and temporarily charge into a solo lead with back-to-back birdies after the turn.

Samar missed the lead from 10 feet to save Samar on 12 and three-putted the 14th to briefly fall two behind Chun, who saw a birdie-birdie cancel out on his back nine with bogeys on the next two holes.

Five players were separated by a single shot with just four holes remaining, Hull getting up and down to birdie the par-five 17th and then holing from 10 feet to finally save Samar and set the early clubhouse target.

Lopez birdied three of the first four holes of his back nine, then joined Hull at seven under when he responded to bogey the 16th by finding a 15-footer at the end, but Kordai moved ahead after ending his par streak with an eight-foot birdie at the 17th.

Korda got the par-four 18th green in regulation to leave him two putts to win, two feet off the first before the American cleaned up for his fourth global win of the year.

More to follow…

What next?

The LPGA Tour heads to Michigan’s Midland Country Club for the Dow Championship, a two-player team tournament starting Thursday, while the next Ladies European Tour event is the Dutch Ladies Open from June 19-21.

The men’s major season continues with the US Open at Shinnecock Hills on June 18-21, before the next women’s major is the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine on June 25-28, both live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or Golf Stream with no contract