Nelly Korda surged back into contention at the 81st U.S. Women’s Open on Friday, June 5, 2026, after a technical intervention from her sister, Jessica Korda, transformed her performance at Riviera Country Club.
Following an opening-round 73 that left her outside the top 50, Korda carded a 4-under-par 67, the lowest round of the day. The significant improvement moved her into a tie for ninth place at 2-under-par for the tournament, just two shots behind the halfway lead in Pacific Palisades.
The turnaround began after Thursday’s round when Nelly Korda sought advice from her older sister. Jessica Korda identified a flaw in Nelly’s setup on the range, recommending a strengthened grip to combat a ball-striking slump that had lasted over a month.
Nelly Korda admitted she had been struggling with her swing for five weeks and could not find a solution until this subtle adjustment was made.
Despite the change feeling “super funky” during Friday’s play, the results were evident in her statistics. The world-ranked star hit 11 of 14 fairways, providing a much-needed foundation for her scoring. While she noted that she still hit a few shots to the right, the overall quality of her ball-striking was significantly higher than during the first 18 holes of the championship.
Jessica Korda provides critical swing adjustment
The sibling collaboration proved to be the catalyst for Korda’s climb up the leaderboard. Nelly Korda was vocal in her appreciation, giving a “big shout out” to her sister for the lesson. She explained that prior to the range session, she was essentially lost regarding her mechanics.
The decision to trust a new grip during a major championship is rare, yet it allowed Korda to simplify her approach.
Technical precision is often the difference in high-level competition, a theme seen elsewhere as teenager Littler leads technical drills for his teammates in his own sport. For Korda, the fix was about returning to basics after a frustrating month. Strengthening the grip helped stabilize her clubface, reducing the errors that led to four bogeys during her opening round on Thursday.
The 81st U.S. Women’s Open has presented a stern test at Riviera Country Club, an iconic venue in Southern California. Korda’s ability to adapt mid-tournament highlights the resilience required at the sport’s highest level. By trusting her sister’s eye, she transformed a potential missed cut into a genuine opportunity for the title over the final 36 holes.
Low round of the day shifts tournament momentum
Korda’s second-round 67 was a study in consistency, featuring five birdies and only a single bogey. This performance stood in stark contrast to her Thursday round, where her only birdies came on the par-5 first and 11th holes. On Friday, the improved driving accuracy allowed her to navigate the difficult layout with far more ease, putting her firmly back in the mix.
Beyond the technical changes, a shift in mentality played a vital role in her resurgence. Korda stated she adopted an “easygoing attitude” for the second round, choosing not to over-emphasize mistakes. This psychological approach is a trait often found in elite winners who must find ways to stay composed under intense pressure.
Much like how Price overcomes Littler in tense sporting showdowns, Korda thrived by focusing on the immediate task rather than past errors.
The focus on one shot at a time served Korda well as the Riviera greens firmed up. She remained patient throughout the round, even when the new grip felt unnatural. This patience ensured she didn’t force scores, allowing the birdies to come through better positioning and improved ball flight.
Championship outlook for the weekend at Riviera
As the 81st U.S. Women’s Open heads into the weekend, Korda is one of the primary threats to the leaders. Sitting within two strokes of the lead, she has momentum on her side. The focus will remain on maintaining the grip adjustment and the relaxed mindset that fueled her Friday charge. Pacific Palisades has historically rewarded those who can navigate the narrow fairways under pressure.
The stakes remain high as the field competes for one of the most prestigious trophies in golf. While stars in other sports face long-term crossroads, such as the way Salah faces career defining choice, Korda is entirely locked into the present. She has committed to “leave it all out there” and continue grinding through the final two rounds.
The narrative of the tournament has shifted from her early struggles to her potential for a weekend surge. If her driving remains as accurate as it was on Friday, the tip from Jessica Korda may be seen as the most important instruction of her year.
Fans at Riviera Country Club will be watching closely to see if the swing change holds up over the final 36 holes.
