Nelly Korda shot a 67 on Friday during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club [1].
The performance marks a critical turnaround for Korda, who struggled during the tournament's opening day. By recording the low score of the day [2], she has positioned herself as a primary contender for the title after an underwhelming start.
Korda said her rebound was due to a shift in mindset. She played what she described as relaxed golf to move up the leaderboard [3]. This mental adjustment included incorporating specific grip advice from her sister to stabilize her game [4].
The 67 [1] propelled Korda into a six-player tie for third place following the completion of the second round [2]. The competition remains tight as the field moves into the weekend at the Pacific, California, course [5].
Korda enters this stage of the tournament with significant momentum from the current season. She has won three tournaments so far this year [6], and recorded two second-place finishes [7]. These results helped her reclaim the world number-one ranking [8].
Her ability to recover from a modest Thursday start suggests a level of resilience that has defined her 2026 campaign. The shift toward a more relaxed approach allowed her to navigate the challenges of the Riviera course more effectively than the rest of the field on Friday [3, 5].
“Nelly Korda shot a 67, the low score of the day.”
Korda's rapid ascent from a modest first round to a tie for third place demonstrates the volatility of major championships and the importance of mental adjustments. By leveraging familial advice and a relaxed psychological state, the world number-one has neutralized her early deficit, shifting the pressure onto the current leaders as the tournament enters its final stages.
