(Pacific Palisades, California, USA – 5 June 2026) – Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit made a strong start at the 81st U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally, carding a 2-under-par 69 in the opening round on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to sit in a tie for eighth place, three shots behind leader Jennifer Kupcho of the United States.
The second women’s major championship of the year carries a total purse of USD 12.5 million (approximately THB 409.4 million) and is being contested at Riviera Country Club, a par-71 layout in Pacific Palisades, California, from 4–7 June 2026.
Tavatanakit, a two-time LPGA Tour winner and the 2021 ANA Inspiration champion (now known as the Chevron Championship), opened her round with a birdie on the first hole. After bogeys at the second and fifth holes, she bounced back with birdies on the sixth and eighth. Another bogey followed on the 14th, but she finished strongly with birdies on the 16th and 17th before closing with a par on the 18th.
Her round of 69 (-2) placed her in a six-way tie for eighth alongside Minjee Lee of Australia, the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open champion; fellow Australian Karis Davidson; Nasa Hataoka of Japan; Yin Ruoning of China; and former world No. 1 Shin Jiyai of South Korea.
Kupcho, a four-time LPGA Tour winner and the 2022 Chevron Championship winner, surged into the lead with an impressive 5-under-par 66. She opened with three consecutive birdies, dropped a shot at the sixth, then responded with birdies on holes 7, 11 and 12. Although she made another bogey on the 15th, she recovered with a birdie on the 16th and parred her final two holes to finish alone at the top of the leaderboard.
South Korea’s Kim Sei-young, a former major champion, sits in second place after posting a 4-under-par 67.
Reflecting on her opening round, Kupcho said: “Playing in the U.S. Women’s Open is every female golfer’s dream. To be here and see my name near the top of the leaderboard is really special. It’s actually something I’ve never said before, even after just one round, so it feels exciting and meaningful.”
A group tied for third place at 3-under-par 68 includes South Koreans Yoo Hyun-jo, Yoon Ina, and Kang Minji, along with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Japan’s major champion Hinako Shibuno.
Meanwhile, Atthaya Thitikul, the world No. 2 and a contender for her first major title, recorded two birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey to finish at 2-over-par 73, tied for 56th place. She shares that position with fellow Thai Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2018 champion, who also carded a 73 after making two birdies and four bogeys.
Pajaree Anannarukarn, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, likewise posted a 73 with two birdies and four bogeys.
Other Thai performances included:
- Jasmine Suwannapura: 73 (+2), tied 56th
- Napapat Lertsathapornwatana: 73 (+2), tied 56th
- Anita Lumpongpaung (amateur): 74 (+3), tied 85th
- Chanettee Wannasaen: 75 (+4), tied 104th
- Jaravee Boonchant: 77 (+6), tied 127th
- Thanana Khansaromanee (amateur): 78 (+7), tied 140th
Among the world’s leading players, world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States, who has already won three titles this season, opened with a 2-over-par 73 and is tied for 56th.
World No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea, Lydia Ko of New Zealand, and Céline Boutier of France each carded 3-over-par 74 to share 85th place.
Several former U.S. Women’s Open champions finished level par 71, including Maja Stark of Sweden (2025), Kim A-lim of South Korea (2020), Yuka Saso of Japan (2021, 2024), Allisen Corpuz of the United States (2023), and Chun In-gee of South Korea (2015).
South Korea’s Lee Jeong-eun6 (2019 champion) posted 1-over-par 72, while Park Sung-hyun of South Korea (2017), Brittany Lang of the United States (2016), and Michelle Wie West of the United States (2014) all finished at 4-over-par 75.
For more information, visit www.usga.org.
Photo Credit: USGA
