Tour Secret: Is this Nelly Korda's US Women's Open moment?

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, our writers look ahead to the US Women's Open and discuss the most important parts of the PGA Tour's long-term schedule.

The 81st US Women's Open kicks off on Thursday at the Riviera with plenty of intrigue surrounding the tournament. This is the first time the tournament has been held at the historic Los Angeles course, and the top player, Nelly Korda, is coming in playing the best golf of her career. Is this the best chance she's ever had to win the US Women's Open?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): She may have been under more pressure at the 2024 US Women's Open, as she entered the tournament coming off a winning streak that included six wins from seven matches. But somehow he shot 80 and missed the cut — and then missed the cut in his next two tournaments. Although this season is beginning to resemble the dominance we saw two years ago, where he won seven of his 16 starts. In seven games this year, he has won three and finished second three times. In his last start he took part in 8th place, which is the worst of the season! She is very consistent this season, and moreover, the disaster of the 2024 US Women's Open can now be associated with a learning experience. That could help him this week. I also think Riviera suits his game well.

Zephyr Melton, game development editor (@zephyrmelton): It's surprising that Nelly doesn't have a USWO title to her name at this point in her career. With his height and striking ability, the types of setups the USGA likes to feature should play right into his hands. He will certainly be the favorite to lift the trophy on Sunday night, but the mental battle will be as tough as the physical. The way he is playing this year, it would be a surprise if he doesn't win, but as we saw at Lancaster in 2024, anything is possible.

Alan Bastable, senior editor (@alan_bastable): The thing is, he has always been there so more dominant this year than in 2024. His stroke earned in '24: 2.86. This year to seven starts: 4.03! A difference of almost 1.2! Amazing stuff. He's also 10 yards farther off the tee than the last two years. His only bugaboo, in comparison, is his putting. If he can find a way to green heat in Riv, this thing could be over in no time.

While Korda's pursuit of her fourth major title will be the big talk, there is plenty of other good news at the US Women's Open. What is one of your favorites?

Behow: Whether it's top-ranked Kiara Romero, defending Augusta National Women's Amateur champion Maria Jose Marin or Stanford's Paula Martin Sampedro, who just helped her team win the NCAA title last week, there are plenty of high-performing newcomers showing promise this week. I'm curious to see if anyone can compete this weekend.

Melton: To see if Jeeno Thitikul can finish the best player without the big moniker. He has come close many times before, but winning the first one is always very difficult. He is in good form with a win at Mizuho earlier this month, but major tournament golf is a completely different animal.

Bastable: Yes, Jeeno Watch remains fully operational during these major weeks. I'm also impressed with Julia Lopez Ramirez, the second-year player from Spain who has the LPGA's longest drive (291-yard driver average) and 10th on the green, and who finished in the top 20 at the USWO as a rookie last year. I don't see him competing – his short game and putting aren't there – but if you're lucky enough to be there, he'd be happy to follow you.

What's the likely scenario on Sunday – Korda hoisting the US Women's Open trophy for the first time, or Scottie Scheffler three medals as champion at the Memorial? (The last time someone won the same event three years in a row, by the way, was when Steve Stricker won the John Deere in 2009, 2010 and 2011.)

Behow: This is actually difficult. Scottie Scheffler definitely deserves it – third or better in four of his last five starts – and apart from his two wins at Muirfield Village he has finished third twice. But I really like Nelly Korda to get the biggest win of her LPGA career this week.

Melton: I'll go with Scottie. He has come close many times this season to hold on for one win. I like that he did it in Jack's place.

Bastable: Scottie WHO? Our guy hasn't won yet – gasp! – 10 starts. Gimme Korda, for all the reasons we listed above. I truly believe if he can find a rhythm with his Riv putting, this could be a week for him in one of the biggest stages of golf.

Scheffler will have some tough competition at the Memorial, including Rory McIlroy. Ironically, this will be the first Signature Event that Scheffler and McIlroy have both played since the Arnold Palmer Invitational three months ago. Forget the big arenas and big markets and the cuts that highlight the PGA Tour's two-track schedule coming in 2028, is this the perfect example of why the Tour's schedule may need a major overhaul?

Behow: Yes, but I also think the Tour knows that. There is so much golf. And even with a two-track system, there will still be a lot of golf. But if we can have the best players competing in the same events 20 times a year or more – and get them all to show up – it's a win-win. But more importantly, you should stick. The tour schedule needs to be stable so people know what's coming up instead of constantly adjusting things. Is this a Signature Event? Florida Swing shakeup? Is the playoffs format changing again? When it comes to scheduling, the PGA Tour's continuity, while sometimes necessary, has also been objective. It's hard to keep up.

Melton: I agree with all the points raised by Josh. We need to see the stars together more often, but we also can't be overwhelmed. It sounds like Brian Rolapp knows this – but creating a program that will toe the line well won't be easy.

Bastable: My biggest concern is finding out all of them star in the middle all of them the tentpole event brings the cuts back to everything (so we get some mid-journey drama) and expands the arenas (so we get some bad news). I like the idea of ​​downgrading, but if the A plane is too special, it can start to feel old.

The Stanford women's golf team won its third NCAA title in five years last week, and now it's the men's team's turn at the NCAA tournament at Omni La Costa, which runs from now until next week. One name to watch is Jackson Koivun, a junior from Auburn who has won his last nine games and could be a champion this summer. For the uninitiated, what makes Koivun one of the best prospects we've seen in years?

Behow: I won't pretend to be an expert when it comes to the world of beginner golf, but in our world you hear things, and Koivun seems to be the real thing. Six wins nine starts?! That's hard to do at any level. His coach speaks badly of him, and such high expectations cannot be placed on a man if he cannot handle them. He is already in the US Open (but has to remain a novice to keep his place) but he can be a champion after that. Will you make a splash on the PGA Tour soon? That is difficult and wrong to predict. But perhaps it's a name golf fans should know.

Melton: I can't say I watch a ton of integrated golf, but Koivun seems to have that “it” thing. However, good governance and college governance are two different things. We've seen plenty of “can't-miss” prospects this decade falter at first (Gordon Sargent, Luke Clanton, etc.), so for now, I'm in wait-and-see mode.

Bastable: Wait and see?! We've seen it, Melton! In seven PGA Tour starts last year, Koivun had four top-11 finishes, and in the last three of those starts he went T6-T5-T4. Then he went back to little old Auburn, where all he did was post a 67.9 goals-against average (!) this season. I would say that the child is destined for great things.