One of the most unique architectural features at Riviera C.C. is the bunker that sits in the middle of the green on the par-3 sixth hole. If that bunker is between your ball and the pin, you have to choose whether you’re going to putt around it or chip over it. During Thursday’s first round of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, Danielle Kang took the direct route and hit this incredible chip over the bunker:
Now, we’re not recommending average players take their wedges to the green—we can already sense the rising anxiety from superintendents at the thought of it. But we are going to point out something important average golfers can learn from this shot: How to hit off of incredibly tight lies. There will be a time when you’re going to have to hit a wedge from a tight lie off the fringe, and you can use Kang’s technique to handle it.
“The key to hitting a short shot from a tight lie is all in the setup,” Sara Dickson, a Golf Digest Best Young Teacher out of Wilderness C.C. in Florida, says. “You will need to use the bounce of the club for forgiveness through the turf. The toe of the wedge provides more bounce than the heel, so start by standing a little closer to the ball to help expose the toe more. Setting up with the handle neutral, pointing toward the middle of your body, will also help expose the back side of the sole, which prevents dig.”
Once you’re set up, Dickson says to keep your body quiet throughout the swing.
“Soft arms and wrists. Commit to how much backstroke and follow-through you need, and visualize those checkpoints before hitting the shot,” Dickson says. “Trust your motion, your setup and the function of the wedge.”
When you’re first trying this shot, Dickson says to practice it on a fluffy lie. Once you’re comfortable with the motion in a forgiving lie, move to the tight lie.
And while it’s not against the rules to chip on the green, it is frowned upon. Best to leave that shot to the pros.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
