81st U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally: Notebook, Storylines

This is the 81st U.S. Women’s Open Championship Presented by Ally and the sixth to be conducted in the state of California.  

WHO’S HERE

Among the 155 golfers in the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open (one spot is currently being held for the winner of the ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern), there are:

U.S. Women’s Open champions (11)

In Gee Chun (2015), Allisen Corpuz (2023), Ariya Jutanugarn (2018), A Lim Kim (2020), Brittany Lang (2016), Minjee Lee (2022), Jeongeun Lee6 (2019), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Yuka Saso (2021, 2024), Maja Stark (2025), Michelle Wie West (2014)

U.S. Women’s Open runners-up (12)

Hye-Jin Choi (2017), Nasa Hataoka (2021), Charley Hull (2023), Hyo Joo Kim (2018), Jin Young Ko (2020), Nelly Korda (2025), Anna Nordqvist (2016), Hinako Shibuno (2024), Jiyai Shin (2023), Rio Takeda (2025), Amy Yang (2012, 2015), Angel Yin (2019)

U.S. Women’s Amateur champions (4)

Megha Ganne (2025), Danielle Kang (2010, 2011), Lydia Ko (2012), Rose Zhang (2020)

U.S. Girls’ Junior champions (6)

Aphrodite Deng (2025), Ariya Jutanugarn (2011), Minjee Lee (2012), Yealimi Noh (2018), Kiara Romero (2023), Rose Zhang (2021)

U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champions (1)

Ina Kim-Schaad (2019, 2025)

U.S. Senior Women’s Open champions (1)

Becky Morgan (2025)

U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball champions (2)

Hailee Cooper (2016), Asterisk Talley (2024)

U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links champions (3)

Brianna Do (2011), Yani Tseng (2004), Michelle Wie West (2003)

U.S. National Junior Team members (2)
Zoe Cusack (2026), Asterisk Talley (2024, 2025, 2026)  

USA Curtis Cup Team members (18)

Allisen Corpuz (2021), Lindy Duncan (2012), Ally Ewing (2014), Megha Ganne (2022), Melanie Green (2024), Gina Kim (2021), Jennifer Kupcho (2018), Brittany Lang (2004), Alison Lee (2014), Andrea Lee (2016, 2018), Lucy Li (2018), Farah O’Keefe (2026), Kiara Romero (2026), Catherine Park (2024), Asterisk Talley (2024, 2026), Lilia Vu (2018), Michelle Wie West (2004), Rose Zhang (2021, 2022)

GB&I Curtis Cup Team members (8)

Charley Hull (2012), Bronte Law (2012, 2014, 2016), Leona Maguire (2010, 2012, 2016), Olivia Mehaffey (2018), Becky Morgan (1998, 2000), Nellie Ong (2026), Mimi Rhodes (2024), Lottie Woad (2024)

NCAA Division I champions (4)

Jennifer Kupcho (2018, Wake Forest University), Maria José Marin (2025, University of Arkansas), Farah O’Keefe (2026, University of Texas), Rose Zhang (2022, 2023, Stanford University)

Olympic Medalists (4)

Esther Henseleit (Germany – 2024, bronze), Xiyu Janet Lin (People’s Republic of China – 2024, bronze), Lydia Ko (New Zealand – 2016, silver; 2020, bronze; 2024, gold), Nelly Korda (USA – 2020, gold)

Augusta National Women’s Amateur champions (5)

Carla Bernat Escuder (2025), Maria PJose Marin (2026), Jennifer Kupcho (2019), Lottie Woad (2024), Rose Zhang (2023)

Players who have competed in the Women's World Amateur Team Championship (47)

Pajaree Anannarukarn (Thailand, 2014, 2016); Celine Boutier (France, 2012, 2014); Carlota Ciganda (Spain, 2006, 2008, 2010); Hye-Jin Choi (Republic of Korea, 2014, 2016); Pauline Del Rosario (Philippines, 2014); Carla Bernat Escuder (Spain, 2023); Megha Ganne (USA, 2025); Linn Grant (Sweden, 2018); Hannah Green (Australia, 2016); Nasa Hataoka (Japan, 2016); Brooke Henderson (Canada, 2012, 2014); Esther Henseleit (Germany, 2016, 2018); Charley Hull (England, 2012); Danielle Kang (USA, 2010); Minami Katsu (Japan, 2014); Veronika Kedronova (Czechia, 2023, 2025); Grace Kim (Australia, 2018); Hyo Joo Kim (Republic of Korea, 2012); Lauren Kim (Canada, 2022, 2023, 2025); Lydia Ko (New Zealand, 2010, 2012); Jennifer Kupcho (USA, 2018); Bronte Law (England, 2014); Alison Lee (USA, 2014); Andrea Lee, USGA, 2016); Minjee Lee (Australia, 2012, 2014); Ingrid Lindblad (Sweden, 2022); Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark, 2012, 2014); Leona Maguire (Republic of Ireland, 2010, 2012, 2016); Maria Jose Marin (Colombia, 2022); Olivia Mehaffey (Republic of Ireland, 2016, 2018); Anna Nordqvist (2006, 2008); Soomin Oh (Republic of Korea, 2025); Farah O'Keefe (USA, 2025); Nellie Ong (England, 2025); Meja Orgtengren (Sweden, 2022, 2023, 2025); Catherine Park (USA, 2025); Julia Lopez Ramirez (Spain, 2023); Madelene Sagstrom (Sweden, 2014); Paula Martin Sampedro (Spain, 2022, 2025); Yani Tseng (Chinese Taipei, 2004, 2006); Lilia Vu (USA, 2018); Dewi Weber (The Netherlands, 2014, 2016, 2018); Lottie Woad (England, 2022, 2023); Ruoning Yin (People's Republic of China, 2018); Yuri Yoshida (Japan, 2018); Rose Zhang (USA, 2022); WeiWei Zhang (People's Republic of China, 2012)   

Players with Most U.S. Women’s Open Appearances (2026 included)

Brittany Lang (22), Amy Yang (20), Michelle Wie West (19), Anna Nordqvist (18), Danielle Kang (17), Carlota Ciganda (15), Lydia Ko (15), Brooke Henderson (14), Ariya Jutanugarn (14), Megan Khang (14), Becky Morgan (13), Yani Tseng (13)

Active Consecutive U.S. Women’s Open Appearances (2026 included)

Amy Yang (20, 2007-26), Anna Nordqvist (19, 2009-26), Carlota Ciganda (15, 2012-26), Lydia Ko (15, 2012-26), Sei Young Kim (13, 2014-26), Minjee Lee (13, 2014-26)

First-Time U.S. Women’s Open Competitors (41)

Yuna Araki, Jenny Bae, Zoe Cusack, Pauline del Rosario, Aphrodite Deng, Addie Dobson, Paula Francisco, Miyuu Goto, Sarah Hammett, Jungmin Hong, Minji Kang, Veronika Kedronova, Jiwon Ko, Thanana Kotchasanmanee (a), Lois Lau, Amy Seung Hyun Lee (a), Jie-En Lin (a), Anita Lumpongpoung (a), Katherine Muzi, Kaylyn Noh, Soomin Oh (a), Nellie Ong (a), Meja Ortengren (a), Mimi Rhodes, Sofia Rivera (a), Kaleiya Romero, Shuri Sakuma, Athena Singh (a), Johanna Sjursen (a), Fuka Suga, Miranda Wang, Siuue Wu (a), Chia Yen Wu, Liqi Zeng, Yue Zhang

Countries Represented (28)

United States of America (41), Japan (23), Republic of Korea (23), Thailand (10), People’s Republic of China (8), Sweden (7), Australia (5), England (5), Spain (5), Chinese Taipei (4), Canada (3), South Africa (3), France (2), Philippines (2), Colombia (1), Czechia (1), Denmark (1), Germany (1), Hong Kong (1), Ireland (1), Mexico (1), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (1), Northern Ireland (1), Russian Federation (1), Slovenia (1), Switzerland (1) and Wales (1)

States Represented (16)

California (14), Florida (7), Texas (4), Hawaii (2), Kentucky (2), New Jersey (2), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Maryland (1), Massachusetts (1), Mississippi (1), Nevada (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1) and Virginia (1)

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD

The field currently includes 99 fully exempt golfers. Qualifying, conducted over 36 holes, was held at 26 sites between April 20 and May 13 – three international sites (Canada, England and Japan) and 23 U.S. sites.

Amateur Players in the Field (28)

Zoe Cusack, Aphrodite Deng, Addie Dobson, Paula Francisco, *-Megha Ganne, Sarah Hammett, Veronika Kedronova, Lauren Kim, Ina Kim-Schaad, Katelyn Kong, Thanana Kotchasanmanee, Chloe Kovelesky, Amy Seung Hyun Lee, Jie-En Lin, Anita Lumpongpoung, Maria Jose Marin, Paula Martin Sampedro, Soomin Oh, Farah O’Keefe, Nellie Ong, Meja Ortengren, *-Catherine Park, Sofia Rivera, Kiara Romero, Athena Singh, Johanna Sjursen, Asterisk Talley, Siuue Wu

*-Expected to turn pro prior to start of the U.S. Women's Open

Top-Ranked Amateur Players in the Field

Nine of the top 10 players in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking® as of May 27 are in the field.

No. 1 – Kiara Romero
No. 2 – Paula Martin Sampedro
No. 4 – Farah O’Keefe
No. 5 – Maria Jose Marin
No. 6 – Meja Ortengren
No. 7 – Asterisk Talley
No. 8 – Aphrodite Deng
No. 9 – Soomin Oh
No. 10 – Megha Ganne
No. 11 – Catherine Park
No. 19 – Lauren Kim

Notable Amateur Storylines

Aphrodite Deng, 16, of Canada, earned her way into her first U.S. Women’s Open by winning the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior at the Atlanta Athletic Club (Riverside Course) last July. The third-youngest player in this year’s field, Deng defeated Xingtong Chen, of Singapore, 2 and 1, in the 36-hole final to earn an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open. The Canadian phenom recorded two additional major junior victories in 2025 at the Mizuho Americas Open and the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, and successfully defended her title at the Mizuho Americas Open last month at Mountain Ridge Country Club in her adopted home state of New Jersey. Prior to her whirlwind 2025-26 season, she claimed victory in the 2024 Nelly Invitational and was the individual runner-up  in the World Girls Junior Championship held in Canada. She also won the 2024 New Jersey Girls Junior title. Deng spent four years as a competitive figure skater, only taking up competitive golf after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jie-En Lin, 15, of Chinese Taipei, is the youngest player in the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at 15 years, 8 months and 27 days old on the first day of the championship. The young phenom qualified for her first U.S. Women’s Open by claiming the lone available spot at the Honolulu (Hawaii) Country Club qualifier on May 8 with a 6-under-par 138. Lin is no stranger to being the youngest player in elite competition, having also been the youngest competitor in both the 2024 and 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships. She is also currently the youngest member of the Chinese Taipei National Team. Despite her age, Lin already owns an impressive competitive résumé, highlighted by six top 10 finishes in 2026, including a victory at the National Spring Tournament in her home country. She also tied for seventh at the 2026 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship and captured four individual titles in 2025, all in Chinese Taipei. Internationally, Lin represented Chinese Taipei at the World Junior Girls Championship in Canada, where she tied for ninth individually, and finished as the runner-up at the 2025 North & South Junior Girls Championship at Pinehurst, finishing just behind Australian standout Jazy Roberts.

Anita Lumpongpoung, 15, of Thailand, is one of two 15-year-olds to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, joining Chinese Taipei’s Jie-En Lin. Lumpongpoung will be the second-youngest player in the championship field, as she is two months older than Lin. She earned her way into her first U.S. Women’s Open by posting an even-par 144 (72-72) at the Richmond (Calif.) Country Club qualifier to claim the second and final qualifying spot. In 2025, Lumpongpoung secured victories at the AJGA Junior at Copper Valley and the Mizuno West Coast Classic, while also advancing to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior before falling to eventual semifinalist and 2025 U.S. Women’s Open qualifier Rayee Feng. The Thai prodigy who resides in Chowchilla, Calif., the hometown of fellow top-ranked junior Asterisk Talley, was named the 2024-25 Northern California Golf Association Junior Girls Player of the Year after recording a dozen top 10 finishes during an impressive amateur season.

Maria José Marín, 19, of Colombia, is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas who enters the U.S. Women’s Open as one of the most dominant players in women’s collegiate golf. Marín will compete in her second U.S. Women’s Open, thanks to an exemption earned through her victory at the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where she posted a record-low 54-hole total of 14-underpar 192. Her 2025–26 collegiate season has been equally impressive, highlighted by top 10 finishes in 10 of 11 regular-season tournaments, including two runner-up results and a win at the Clemson Invitational. The Colombia native led the Arkansas Razorbacks into match play at the NCAA Championships in late May Marín was also a finalist for the 2026 ANNIKA Award, given to the best player in Division I women’s golf, joining Kiara Romero and eventual winner Farah O’Keefe on that list.

Farah O'Keefe, 20, of Austin, Texas, just completed a remarkable junior season that saw her register four victories, including the NCAA Division I individual title. Those performances led to her claiming the 2026 ANNIKA Award, given to the best collegiate golfer in the country. O'Keefe also was named to the 2026 USA Curtis Cup Team after being an alternate for the 2024 Match in England. Last fall, O'Keefe, Catherine Park and Megha Ganne led the USA to victory in the Women's World Amateur Team Championship in Malaysia. Earlier this year, O'Keefe shared low-amateur honors at The Chevron Championship, the year's first women's professional major. This will be O'Keefe's third U.S. Women's Open start.

Kiara Romero, 20, of San Jose, Calif., is a rising senior at the University of Oregon who has already established herself as one of the most prolific up-and-coming players in golf. The 2025 recipient of the McCormack Medal, awarded to the world’s leading amateur, Romero will make her third appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open after making the cut in 2025 and debuting in the championship in 2024 following a victory at the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior. A 2026 ANNIKA Award finalist, she has already etched her name into Oregon history as a two-time first-team All-American and three-time first-team, All-Big Ten selection. Romero owns the Ducks’ program record with six career individual tournament victories, including titles at the 2026 Chevron Collegiate and 2026 Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate Invitational. Her amateur résumé also includes wins at the 2021 Polo Golf Junior Classic, the 2023 ANNIKA Intercollegiate Presented by 3M and the 2024 San Diego State Classic. Romero is also a member of the U.S. National Development Program’s Elite Amateur squad and will make her Curtis Cup debut at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif., the week after the U.S. Women’s Open, after serving as an alternate in 2024.

Asterisk Talley, 17, of Chowchilla, Calif., whose first name means “little star” in Greek, is set to make her third appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. She qualified for this year’s championship by earning medalist honors at the Richmond (Calif.) Country Club qualifier, finishing as the only player under par after rounds of 70-69. The fifth-youngest player in this year’s field, Talley was the youngest competitor in the 2024 championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, where she shared low-amateur honors. Now a junior in high school, she already owns one of the most accomplished amateur résumés in the game, with notable victories at the 2026 Fortinet Stanford Invitational, the 2026 Girls’ Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, and the 2025 Girls’ Junior PGA Championship. Talley’s 2024 season was especially strong, highlighted by titles at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball (with partner Sarah Lim). She also represented the USA at the Curtis Cup Match in England; where she earned a statement victory by defeating world No. 1 Lottie Woad in Sunday singles. Even more, she also finished runner-up in both the U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur, and shared low-amateur honors at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open alongside Catherine Park and reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Megan Schofill. A member of the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team in 2024, Talley continues to represent the red, white and blue in 2026. Following the U.S. Women’s Open, she will make her second Curtis Cup appearance at Bel Air C.C. alongside Kiara Romero and Farah O’Keefe. 

Youngest Competitor

At 15 years of age, Jie-En Lin of Chinese Taipei, is the youngest competitor in the championship. Lin will be exactly 15 years, 8 months and 27 days on the first day of the U.S. Women’s Open. Anita Lumpongpoung, of Thailand, is a close second for youngest player in the championship. She is also 15 years old, but two months older than Lin.

Oldest Competitor

At 51, Becky Morgan, the reigning U.S. Senior Women’s Open champion, is the championship’s oldest competitor.

Average Age of Competitor

The average age of the championship field is 26.1.

Oldest U.S. Women’s Open Champions (years/months/days)

43/0/7: Babe Didrikson Zaharias, 1954
42/0/13: Juli Inkster, 2002
41/2/20: Meg Mallon, 2004

Youngest U.S. Women’s Open Champions (years/months/days)

19/11/17: Inbee Park, 2008
19/11/17: Yuka Saso, 2021
20/9/8: Se Ri Pak, 1998
20/11/2: In Gee Chun, 2015

Championship Birthdays

Two players in the U.S. Women’s Open field will celebrate a birthday during championship week. Carlota Ciganda, whose best U.S. Women’s Open finish came in 2018 at Shoal Creek (third), will celebrate her 36th birthday on Monday. Farah O’Keefe, the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Individual Champion, has a chance to spend her 21st birthday competing for the U.S. Women’s Open trophy if she makes the weekend cut. Jeongeun Lee6, the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion, and Minjee Lee, the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open champion, will celebrate their birthdays the week before the championship.

Sisters in the Field

Twins Chizzy and Aki Iwai of Japan will play in their fourth consecutive U.S. Women’s Open together. For the first time, Kaleiya and Kiara Romero will compete together in the championship. The Iwais and Romeros are two of nine sets of sisters to have competed in the same U.S. Women’s Open.

The U.S. Women’s Open Course

The Riviera Country Club, located 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles in Pacific Palisades, Calif., was designed by famed Golden-Age architect George C. Thomas Jr., with the assistance of William P. Bell. The club was founded in 1926 by members of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Thomas took on the design of the project free of charge, and the course opened in 1927. Today, it is considered one of the finest natural layouts in all of golf. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw did a restoration of greens and bunkers in 1993. Renowned course designer Tom Fazio completed additional redesign work in the 2000s, including the lengthening of several holes.

What the Winner Receives

In addition to prize money, the champion will receive the Mickey Wright Medal, custody of the Harton S. Semple Trophy for the ensuing year and an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Women’s Open Championships.

Title Defense

Should Maja Stark win, she would become the eighth player to successfully defend her championship title. She would join Mickey Wright (1958-59), Donna Caponi (1969-70), Susie Maxwell Berning (1972-73), Hollis Stacy (1977-78), Betsy King (1989-90), Annika Sorenstam (1995-96), and Karrie Webb (2000-01).

In 2020, Jeongeun Lee6 became the first defending champion since Juli Inkster in 2003 to finish in the Top 10.