Nelly Korda seeks fourth major title as 81st U.S. Women’s Open begins at Riviera Country Club

Nelly Korda seeks fourth major title as 81st U.S. Women’s Open begins at Riviera Country Club

Jerry Hugh Published:

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The 81st U.S. Women’s Open begins today, June 4, 2026, at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. World No. 1 Nelly Korda enters the tournament seeking her fourth major title and the second leg of a single-season Grand Slam.

Korda has been the dominant force on the LPGA Tour this year, winning three events and finishing as runner-up in three others out of just seven starts. She looks to improve on her performance from the 2025 championship, where she finished in a tie for second place.

Defending champion Maja Stark is also at Riviera to protect her title after her victory last year. The Swedish star is part of a 156-player field competing at the historic Los Angeles venue, which is hosting the championship for the first time. Fans following the action can stay updated with com/sport-news/french-open-2026-day-1-preview-djokovic-perricard-schedule/”>sport news from across the professional circuits as the opening round unfolds under clear California skies. The tournament features a mix of veteran major winners and top-ranked amateurs.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has introduced several technological upgrades for this year’s broadcast. For the first time in the history of women’s golf, Emmy Award-winning ARL Drone Tracing Technology will provide aerial shot tracking throughout the telecast.

This innovation is part of nearly 100 hours of planned coverage provided by NBC Sports and its partners. The broadcast will also utilize a limited commercial model, strictly capping advertisements at four minutes per hour to maximize the amount of live golf shown to viewers.

Broadcast schedule for U.S. Women’s Open Thursday TV coverage

Television coverage for the opening round is split between linear cable and streaming platforms. USA Network will handle the primary afternoon window, airing live action from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. This block will cover the finish of the morning wave and the bulk of the high-profile afternoon groupings.

Before the main broadcast begins, the Golf Channel will host “Live From the U.S. Women’s Open” starting at 12:00 p.m. ET to provide pre-round analysis and interviews.

Once the USA Network window closes, coverage shifts exclusively to Peacock from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. This late-night window is essential for following the leaders of the afternoon wave as they finish their rounds on the West Coast.

During the day, fans can also access a daily commercial-free “Rolex Hour,” a staple of USGA major championships. Similar to how Toto Wolff reacts to driver contact in Formula 1 by focusing on precision, players at Riviera must navigate the tight fairways and technical greens with absolute focus.

Digital and featured group streaming options

For viewers who want to follow specific players, the USGA is offering extensive featured group coverage. These streams are available from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET on Peacock, USWomensOpen.com, and the USGA App. Two morning and two afternoon groups are selected for dedicated camera crews each day.

This digital access ensures fans can watch every shot from the tournament’s biggest stars, regardless of whether they have reached the main television window.

Other streaming platforms carrying the first round include the NBC Sports App, Fubo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. The USGA App serves as a central hub for the championship, offering live scoring, video highlights, and exclusive photos alongside the live streams. This multi-platform approach is designed to cater to a global audience following the second major of the 2026 LPGA season.

Marquee groupings and Round 1 tee times

The first round features several powerhouse groupings starting from both the 1st and 10th tees. Defending champion Maja Stark begins her title defense at 10:07 a.m. ET from the 10th tee, playing alongside Megha Ganne and Miyu Yamashita. Shortly after, the World No.

1 trio of Nelly Korda, Hyo Joo Kim, and Hannah Green will depart from the 10th tee at 10:29 a.m. ET. These early groups will face the freshest course conditions before the Los Angeles afternoon breeze picks up.

The afternoon wave is led by several international stars and past major champions. Charley Hull, Jeeno Thitikul, and Patty Tavatanakit are scheduled for a 4:03 p.m. ET start on the 1st tee. They are followed by the high-profile group of Lydia Ko, Mao Saigo, and Lauren Coughlin at 4:14 p.m. ET.

The 2026 field also includes veteran Michelle Wie West, who tees off at 4:36 p.m. ET with Hinako Shibuno and Yani Tseng.

Selected Round 1 Tee Times (All times ET)

  • 9:45 a.m. (Tee 1): Brianna Do, Muni He, Sarah Hammett (a)
  • 10:07 a.m. (Tee 10): Maja Stark, Megha Ganne, Miyu Yamashita
  • 10:29 a.m. (Tee 10): Nelly Korda, Hyo Joo Kim, Hannah Green
  • 10:51 a.m. (Tee 1): Amy Yang, Ingrid Lindblad, Julia Lopez Ramirez
  • 11:24 a.m. (Tee 10): Brittany Lang, Danielle Kang, Sung Hyun Park
  • 3:41 p.m. (Tee 1): Ariya Jutanugarn, Allisen Corpuz, In Gee Chun
  • 4:03 p.m. (Tee 1): Charley Hull, Jeeno Thitikul, Patty Tavatanakit
  • 4:14 p.m. (Tee 1): Lydia Ko, Mao Saigo, Lauren Coughlin
  • 4:25 p.m. (Tee 10): Jinhee Im, Casandra Alexander, Ai Suzuki
  • 4:36 p.m. (Tee 1): Michelle Wie West, Hinako Shibuno, Yani Tseng

Riviera Country Club presents a traditional but difficult test, characterized by its kikuyu grass and narrow corridors. Players will need to master the iconic 10th hole, a short par-4 that offers a classic risk-reward scenario. The 18th hole, with its natural amphitheater setting, will provide a dramatic backdrop for the conclusion of the first round tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET.