USWO 2026: These 10 Players Have Our Attention at Riviera

PACIFIC PALISADES, Ca. — The biggest week in women's golf is upon us, and there's a palpable energy in the air.

Riviera is a magical place—rich with history and a proven test unlike any other—and for the first time ever—the women will get their chance to tackle one of golf's greatest cathedrals just 20 miles west of Hollywood.

The road to Riv saw nearly 1,900 women across the globe fight for a spot in the 156-player field, and it's the most beautiful and dynamic aspect of this championship. It's an Open, meaning that those with a qualifying handicap index that doesn't exceed 2.4 can give their try at this thing.

RELATED: Inside U.S. Women's Open Qualifying

From 50-year-olds to 15-year-olds, this week features a vast landscape of talent, which can make it quite difficult to make any predictions of what's to come. That beings said, we want to direct you to the 10 players that have caught our attention leading into the week, and who we think have a real shot at making an impact in this championship.

Here's who we're eyeing extra close this week.

RELATED: Nelly Korda, Hyo Joo Kim, and Hannah Green Lead All-Star Grouping at Riv

Michelle Wie West

Back for what's likely her last U.S. Women's Open is the 2014 Champion Michelle Wie West, who said earlier this week that if this tournament wasn't here at Riv, she wouldn't have either. This course means a lot to her and her family, as her late father-in-law Jerry West (a.k.a the man who inspired the NBA logo) was a member of the historic course.

With her husband Jonnie on the bag, Wie West is ready to tackle the greatest test in women's golf with a little chip on her shoulder.

And peep the bespoke shoe that she and Nike cooked up just for the occasion!

Farah O'Keefe

The 2026 NCAA individual title winner got a last-minute entry into this field because of her win, and we're pumped about it.

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RELATED: Farah O’Keefe’s Breakout Year Ends With a National Title

After the Chevron Championship back in April, O'Keefe has become one of our favorite rising stars. She tied for low-amateurs honors at Chevron, and has just continued to build on the success on what has really shaped out to be her breakout year. This will be her third start at this championship, after having her best finish last year at Erin Hills, where she ended the week T-36.

Céline Boutier

It's hard to ignore the most recent LPGA winner. Many opted out of playing in the ShopRite, which suited the winning French golfer well. She earned her seventh career title last week, not a bad thing to earn right before a major.

Asterisk Talley

The 17-year-old is making her third USWO appearance after earning medalist honors at her qualifying site last year.

Hannah Green

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Do not ignore Hannah Green's track record in LA. She won three JM Eagle LA Championship titles in four years, and it just feels like her game just agrees with the conditions out here.

After a hot and fast start early in the season collecting four wins, Green has slowed down a bit, but "Hollywood Hannah" knows when to kick things into gear.

Jeeno Thitikul

It's hard to believe that the World No. 2 is still in search of that maiden major but what a week to get the job done.

Thitikul has been open about her iron and ball-striking struggles earlier this season but she's coming off of a win at the Mizuho Americas Open and a top-10 at the Kroger Queen City Championship where she looked ridiculously solid. Her ball striking will need to be spot on this week to get it done, as Riv is a second-shot course, but I wouldn't count out the 23-year-old by any means.

Lottie Woad

It hasn't even been a full year of her pro career and Lottie Woad is already a two-time LPGA Tour winner. Her latest victory at the Kroger Queen City Championship was a nice little boost heading into this deep stretch of events.

This is just her third USWO appearance but we believe her confidence to be at an all-time high this time around.

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Alison Lee

She's in her own backyard this week in LA which is an added dose of motivation. Lee is one of several LPGA moms in the field this week, and her road back to competition has been quite exciting to watch, because in a lot of ways she's swinging and playing with more freedom than before.

In her pre-tournament presser she called out her LA natives saying, "The fact that we're here in Los Angeles, I mean, they have no excuses. The Kings are out, the Lakers are out. They can come out here and watch. There's not really much else going on this week. So they've got time."

You heard her! Riv is the place to be this week to come cheer on one of your own.

Lydia Ko

There aren't many feats in golf that this Hall of Famer hasn't accomplished—but the coveted U.S. Women's Open title has escaped her a few times. In 14 starts her best finish came in 2016 in a tie for third.

A win this week would make her a career grand slam winner.

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Nelly Korda

All eyes are on the World No. 1 and for obvious reasons. She's our pick to win because in a lot of ways...it feels inevitable.

The way Korda has been playing this year feels different. She's more confident, she's playing more freely, and she's being quite selective on when and where we see her. She took some time off to prep for this week, and after finishing second at Erin Hills last year, this feels like Korda's time to shine.

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