--- title: "Alison Lee, Ruoning Yin lead at U.S. Women's Open after 36 holes" description: "Nelly Korda claws back into contention as the tournament heats up at historic Riviera Country Club." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/alison-lee-ruoning-yin-surge-atop-riviera-leaderboard-after-c61730e2 published: 2026-06-13T17:27:23.232+00:00 updated: 2026-06-13T17:27:23.232+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["golf"] --- # Alison Lee, Ruoning Yin lead at U.S. Women's Open after 36 holes > Nelly Korda claws back into contention as the tournament heats up at historic Riviera Country Club. Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin are co-leading the U.S. Women’s Open after 36 holes at Riviera Country Club, each at 7-under par. The duo seized control with consistent rounds—Lee carded 68-69, Yin fired 67-70—while Nelly Korda’s 66-69 surge put her three strokes back, tied for third. The leaderboard is packed: eight players lurk within five strokes, and the cut line stands at 1-over, eliminating 88 golfers. Weather turned on Saturday, with gusty winds and cooler temps turning Riviera’s famed rough into a brutal test. Lee, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, has never won a major; Yin, the 2023 Women’s Amateur champion, is chasing her first professional major. Korda, the defending champion, is bidding to become the first back-to-back U.S. Women’s Open winner since Betsy Rawls in 1959. The weekend promises fireworks. Riviera’s closing holes—especially the par-4 17th and par-5 18th—favor aggressive play, but the rough demands precision. Lee’s iron game has been dialed in, while Yin’s putting has been ice-cold. Korda, meanwhile, has history here: she won the 2021 Chevron Championship at nearby Mission Hills, and her short game thrives under pressure. The brutal conditions have already reshaped the tournament; players who thrived in Thursday’s calm are now scrambling to adapt. The rough, measured at 2.5 inches in spots, has swallowed wayward shots, turning Riviera’s signature par-4 6th into a one-shot killer. Lydia Ko, the world No. 2, sits at 4-under, two strokes behind Korda, while Lexi Thompson (3-under) and Atthaya Thitikul (2-under) lurk in striking distance. The top 10 reads like a who’s who of women’s golf, but the majors have a way of flipping scripts. The 2023 champion, Allisen Corpuz, is lurking at 1-under, a full six strokes back but still within striking range if the leaders wilt. The depth of this field is undeniable—only two players in the top 20 are ranked outside the top 50 in the world, a testament to the tournament’s prestige and the LPGA’s competitive balance. The majors often reward those who can adapt fastest to shifting conditions, and Riviera’s weekend forecast—a slight easing of the wind but persistent rough—favors players with strong iron play and scrambling skills. Lee’s ability to hit fairways and dial in approach shots has been a hallmark of her round, while Yin’s lag-putting has been elite, keeping her in the mix despite fewer birdie chances. Korda’s experience in high-pressure situations, honed during her 2021 victory here, gives her an edge if the leaders crack under the pressure of Riviera’s final two holes. The psychological battle is as fierce as the physical one. With the defending champion in striking distance and two first-time major hopefuls in the mix, the pressure to perform on Riviera’s closing holes could force errors. The par-4 17th, with its elevated green and bunker-lined left side, has been a graveyard for late-round hopes in past Opens. Players who can navigate it with a par—or better—will likely survive the weekend, while those who misplay it could see their dreams slip away. Riviera’s history as a major venue, combined with its unforgiving rough and wind, ensures that the final two rounds will be a test of both skill and mental resilience. LPGA Tour commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan called the leaderboard “a testament to the depth of talent in women’s golf.” She added, “This is why we play the majors—anything can happen.” What’s next: The final two rounds tee off Saturday at 6:45 a.m. PT, with Lee, Yin, and Korda scheduled to hit the first tee in that order. The wind is forecast to ease slightly, but Riviera’s teeth remain bared. A new major champion could emerge—or Korda could cement her status as the era’s dominant force. The brutal rough and shifting winds mean the weekend will reward patience and precision over brute force. ## Why this matters The U.S. Women’s Open is golf’s most prestigious major, and the current leaderboard—stacked with Lee, Yin, and Korda—guarantees drama. A first-time major winner could emerge from this trio, while Korda aims to defend her title and add to her legacy. The stakes are high, the course is brutal, and the weather is turning. Riviera’s rough and wind have already exposed weaknesses in the field, making the weekend a high-stakes chess match where mental fortitude may matter as much as skill. Riviera’s history as a major venue amplifies the pressure; only two players have successfully defended their U.S. Women’s Open title in the last 30 years, underscoring the difficulty of the task ahead for Korda. ## Frequently asked ### Who leads the U.S. Women's Open after two rounds? Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin share the top spot at 7-under par after 36 holes at Riviera Country Club. ### What is Nelly Korda's position in the tournament? Nelly Korda sits tied for third at 5-under par, three strokes behind the leaders, after a strong weekend charge. ### Where is the U.S. Women's Open being played? The tournament is being held at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, a historic venue known for its challenging layout. ### How many players are within five strokes of the lead? Eight players are within five strokes of the top after two rounds, setting up a crowded leaderboard heading into the weekend. ### What is the cut line for the U.S. Women's Open? The cut line is at 1-over par, with 68 players advancing to the final two rounds out of a 156-player field. ### Has the weather impacted play significantly? Yes. Gusty winds and cooler temperatures turned Riviera’s rough into a brutal test, reshaping the tournament and exposing weaknesses in the field. ## Sources & Citations - [Alison Lee, Ruoning Yin surge atop Riviera leaderboard after 2 rounds at U.S. Women's Open](https://www.wvnews.com/sports/pro/alison-lee-ruoning-yin-surge-atop-riviera-leaderboard-after-2-rounds-at-u-s-womens/article_ef4d45dc-1200-54e3-ab3b-2f9a5525c35a.html) — NewsData.io (2026-06-06) --- Cite: Alison Lee, Ruoning Yin lead at U.S. Women's Open after 36 holes. Sportopod, 2026-06-13. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/alison-lee-ruoning-yin-surge-atop-riviera-leaderboard-after-c61730e2