Kupcho Seizes First-Round Lead at Riviera
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Jennifer Kupcho turned a piece of long-ignored parental advice into a career-defining start at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open. The 29-year-old fired a 5-under-par 66 on Thursday at Riviera Country Club, grabbing a one-stroke lead over Sei Young Kim after the opening round.
Kupcho, who won the Chevron Championship in 2022, birdied her first three holes and never looked back. She finished with seven birdies overall, using just 26 putts — tied for the fewest in the field — and led the field in strokes gained approach (4.27). Her only blemishes were two bogeys, but a near hole-in-one on the 145-yard 16th hole highlighted a round of controlled aggression.
“I just see an 8-iron straight at the tower, and I hit it straight at the flag,” Kupcho said, recalling the shot that nearly found the cup. The round marked the first time she has ever led the U.S. Women’s Open after any round.
Finally Taking Their Advice
Kupcho admitted after her round that she had repeatedly rejected her parents’ suggestions to visit major venues ahead of tournament week — until now. Since the LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship was held nearby in April, she used the opportunity to play Riviera with friends who are members at the club.
“I think my parents have always pushed me like, ‘Hey, why don't you go try and see the golf course beforehand?’ I'm like, ‘No, I don't do that. I never do that for any other tournament. Why would I change that for the U.S. Open?’” Kupcho recalled. “When I showed up this week, I knew where everything was. Parents are always right, right?”
The preparation paid off immediately. Kupcho hit 9 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens, numbers that reflected both comfort and confidence on a layout many players consider one of the most demanding on the LPGA schedule. She is staying with the same member friends all week, which she said has made the entire experience feel like a home game.
For a player who missed the cut in three consecutive U.S. Open appearances prior to this week, the change in routine appears to have unlocked something significant.
Navigating a Stacked Leaderboard
Kupcho’s 66 puts her one shot ahead of South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who carded a 67. Five other players are tied two shots back at 68, including several major winners. Notably absent from the early mix is world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who struggled in the opening round and sits well off the pace.
Riviera Country Club — hosting the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time — has historically rewarded precision over power. With its narrow fairways, poa annua greens, and firm conditions, the course demands the kind of course management Kupcho displayed Thursday. Her ability to shape shots into the correct greenside angles and lag putt effectively gave her a clear advantage.
“I feel like I really like the golf course. It kind of just fits my eye,” she said.
What’s at Stake
Kupcho is chasing her second major title, and first since the 2022 Chevron Championship. That victory came in dramatic fashion, but she has not won on the LPGA Tour since. A strong finish at Riviera would not only end that drought but also cement her as a consistent force on the game’s biggest stages.
The U.S. Women’s Open carries a $12 million purse, one of the largest in women’s golf, and the winner’s share of $2.4 million would be Kupcho’s biggest career payday. Beyond the money, capturing a U.S. Open — the sport’s most grueling test — would validate the tactical shift she finally embraced at her parents’ urging.
Broader Implications for Major Preparation
Kupcho’s approach highlights a growing trend among LPGA players: investing in extended advance scouting of major venues. While many players in prior generations relied solely on practice rounds during tournament week, today’s top competitors increasingly visit courses weeks or even months in advance to map yardages, study green complexes, and identify preferred landing zones.
The strategy is especially valuable at Riviera, a course with several blind shots, severe bunkering, and greens that slope dramatically from back to front. Knowing where to miss — and where to attack — can separate the contenders from the field.
Kupcho’s willingness to finally listen to her parents may also signal a maturation in her own preparation habits. At 29, she is in the prime of her career, and small course-management edges could be the difference between contending and winning.
For context, the disciplined approach she applied this week is similar to the kind of preparation that helped Sam Burns chase his first Memorial win earlier this season — though weather delays altered his schedule Sam Burns Chases First Memorial Win as Weather Delays Third Round Until Sunday. Meanwhile, the LPGA’s growing depth means Kupcho cannot afford to relax. Kim, a proven closer with 12 LPGA wins, looms one shot back, and the chasing pack includes multiple top-10 players who have historically thrived on California poa annua greens.
Kupcho’s opening statement at Riviera was emphatic, but the U.S. Women’s Open is a marathon, not a sprint. If her parents’ advice proves correct, she may have found the formula to win the hardest championship in women’s golf.
Comments