US Women's Open: Nelly Korda admits 'it wasn't a great day' as Sei Young Kim sets early pace in first round at Riviera Country Club

Nelly Korda admitted she was surprised how poorly she had played as she began her US Women's Open challenge with a two-over 73.

The world No 1 has finished no worse than tied-eighth in 10 of her last 11 worldwide starts, but has some work to do at Riviera Country Club if she is to make it back-to-back major wins after her Chevron Championship success.

Korda, who started on the 10th, looked on track with a birdie at the 11th but followed that with back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th.

• Latest US Women's Open leaderboard
• When are the majors? Key dates in 2026
• Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract

A second birdie at the first took the American back to level-par but further bogeys at the third and seventh saw her slip down the leaderboard.

"I honestly just hit it really poorly off the tee," said the 27-year-old, who finished tied for second behind Maja Stark in last year's US Women's Open.

"Found myself in a lot of trouble on the wrong sides of a lot of these pins. I just felt like I was grinding to make safe pars.

"It wasn't a great day. I hit it really good Monday through Wednesday, so I have honestly no idea where this came from. I'm going to go to the range.

"I've just been feeling really stuck in my swing and not being able to release it. I was sending it out right in Cincinnati [at the Kroger Queen City Championship] too. I put in a lot of hours on the range, and I can't seem to really figure it out."

Korda is six shots behind the early pacesetter Sei Young Kim of South Korea, whose four-under 67 saw her start and finish strongly with back-to-back birdies at the 10th and 11th and then three successive birdies from the sixth on her 'back nine'.

Kim, the 2020 Women's PGA Championship winner, is one ahead of her compatriots Hyunjo Yoo and Ina Yoon and Mexico's Gaby Lopez, who was six under after 10 holes before slipping back with three bogeys.

England's Lottie Woad matched Korda's 73, while Leona Maguire of Ireland struggled to a five-over 76.

Watch the US Women's Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports, with second-round coverage starting on Friday at 7pm on Sky Sports Mix. Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract

(c) Sky Sports 2026: US Women's Open: Nelly Korda admits 'it wasn't a great day' as Sei Young Kim sets early pace in first round at Riviera Country Club