Los angeles: Two South Korean golfers, Chun In-gee and Kim Sei-young, narrowly missed out on clinching the title at the 81st U.S. Women's Open held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. Chun In-gee finished in fourth place with a score of six-under 278, just two strokes behind the champion, Nelly Korda from the United States. Chun's final round comprised four birdies and three bogeys, resulting in a one-under 70.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Sei-young ended the tournament in fifth place, one stroke behind her compatriot Chun. Kim began the final round tied for the lead with Korda at six-under but ultimately shot a 72, recording four birdies and five bogeys. Chun was in pursuit of her fourth major title, while Kim aimed for her second.
The runner-up position was shared by Charley Hull of England and Gaby Lopez of Mexico, both finishing at seven-under. Hull made an initial surge with three birdies in her first six holes, playing three groups ahead of Korda and Kim. Chun, in the penultimate pairing, made a significant move with a chip-in birdie on the seventh, bringing her within one shot of the lead at seven-under.
Hull advanced to the lead at eight-under with a birdie on the par-5 11th hole, soon joined there by Chun with a birdie on the 10th. However, Hull faltered with a bogey on the 12th, leaving Chun at the top. Despite initial struggles by Hull and Kim, Chun managed to birdie the 11th, securing a two-shot lead at nine-under.
Chun's game took a downturn with a bogey on the 12th and another on the 13th, resulting in a four-way tie for the lead at seven-under with Kim, Lopez, and Korda. Kim dropped out of the race with consecutive bogeys on the 13th and 14th. Although Chun managed to save pars, she was unable to keep pace with the clubhouse leaders Hull and Lopez, making a bogey on the final hole.
Korda seized the lead with a nine-foot birdie putt on the 17th green and confirmed her victory with a two-foot par putt on the final hole, securing her second consecutive major title and fourth overall.