Jennifer Kupcho took a one-shot lead after the opening round of the 2026 U.S. Women's Open on June 3 [1, 2].
This early lead positions Kupcho as a primary contender in the 81st edition of the tournament [4], where players are competing for a total purse of $12.5 million [3].
The tournament is being held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California [1, 3]. Kupcho posted a 5-under 66 during the first round [1], a score that placed her narrowly ahead of Sei Young Kim [1].
Kupcho's performance began with significant momentum, as she recorded three birdies in a row to start her round [6]. She finished the day with a total of seven birdies [5].
Other notable players in the field include Nelly Korda and Maja Stark [1]. While Kupcho found early success, other top competitors faced challenges on the course, with Korda spending time in the rough during the initial play [2].
NBC Sports and Peacock provided the broadcast and highlights of the round-1 action [1, 3]. The event continues through the week as players aim to navigate the challenging layout of the California course.
“Jennifer Kupcho shot a 5-under 66”
Kupcho's aggressive start and low score in the first round establish her as the early pace-setter for the tournament. In a major championship with a high purse and a demanding venue like Riviera Country Club, an early lead provides a psychological advantage and a scoring cushion, though the volatility of golf means the leaderboard often shifts significantly over four rounds.
