Watch Nelly Korda’s winning putt nearly lip out before dropping to secure the 2026 US Women’s Open

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[Photo: Sean M. Haffey]

During the trophy presentation after securing the 2026 US Women’s Open title, Nelly Korda said it felt like she was in a dream. Well, the outcome of her final putt was nearly a nightmare – but it turned into a moment that Korda will be able to laugh about for the rest of her career.

Korda faced a par putt from 86 centimetres (two feet, 10 inches) to secure a one-stroke victory at Riviera Country Club. The ball nearly did a 360-degree turn around the entirety of the hole before it dropped, giving the 27-year-old her fourth major title, becoming the youngest American player since Mickey Wright to win that many majors.

Korda’s mouth dropped in disbelief after the ball finally disappeared into the bottom of the hole. Everyone who was watching did the same – her caddie Jason McDede just stood there looking at Korda before the two celebrated her latest achievement, fending off Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by one shot.

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This was the fourth win for Korda in 2026 and the second major this year, having secured the Chevron Championship at Memorial Park in Houston in April. She has three more majors to potentially win this year, needing just the Evian Championship or the AIG Women’s Open to give her the Career Grand Slam.

She now also has 25 of the necessary 27 points to be Hall of Fame eligible, with a point for LPGA player of the year honours or the low scoring average of the year also providing points – meaning she could lock up her HOF status by the end of the year. Another major, which awards two points, would secure her eligibility. Korda will turn 28 in July.

All of this is possible because that par putt found the bottom of the cup on Riviera’s 18th hole. Incredible theatre, even if Korda would’ve preferred it to have gone in the centre.

“Don’t make me re-live that,” Korda told NBC’s Cara Banks at the trophy presentation when she asked about the putt on the 72nd hole. “I’m sure I’ll see a lot of videos of that, but a nice ice cream swirl to cap off the day.”