"Parents Are Always Right": Jennifer Kupcho Credits Family Advice for U.S. Women's Open Lead
Jun 20, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Jennifer Kupcho reacts after playing her shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Jun 20, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Jennifer Kupcho reacts after playing her shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Jennifer Kupcho had the same answer every time her parents pushed her to study a course before major week: no. Thursday at Riviera is what a yes looks like.
Jennifer Kupcho shot a 5-under 66 in the opening round of the 2026 U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. The 29-year-old takes a one-shot lead over South Korea's Sei Young Kim, who carded a 4-under 67.
"I think my parents have always pushed me like, 'Hey, why don't you go try and see the golf course beforehand?'" Kupcho recalled after her round. "I'm like, 'No, I don't do that. I never do that for any other tournament. Why would I change that for the U.S. Open?'"
Dec 15, 2024; Naples, Florida, [USA]; Jennifer Kupcho plays her shot from the first tee during final round play of the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburón Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024; Naples, Florida, [USA]; Jennifer Kupcho plays her shot from the first tee during final round play of the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburón Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Kupcho got an early look at Riviera in April while in the area for the JM Eagle LA Championship, playing the course with friends who are members and hosting her this week.
"When I showed up this week, it was just like I knew where everything was," she said. "I knew what I was doing. So I think it actually helped. Parents are always right, right?"
The 29-year-old hit 9 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens while needing just 26 putts, tied for the fewest in the field. She opened with birdies on her first three holes, finished with seven overall, and led the field in approach play.
Kupcho's preparation paid off. Her opening-round 66 gave her a one-shot lead and marked the first time she had led the U.S. Women's Open.
Jennifer Kupcho Nearly Makes Hole-in-One
Kupcho almost made a hole-in-one on the 16th hole, a short 145-yard par-3 at Riviera.
"I just see an 8-iron [aimed] straight at the [TV] tower, and I hit it straight at the flag," she said. "I walked over to my caddie, and he goes, 'Straight at the tower, huh?' I said, 'Well, it's next to the pin, so it's fine.'"
The near ace was one of several highlights from a round in which Kupcho led the field in approach play, gaining 4.27 strokes. Her best iron shot came on the par-4 second, where she hit a 133-yard approach to less than a foot for an easy birdie.
She also spoke about what made Riviera click for her overall.
"I was hitting the ball well today, also rolling the ball really well with the putter," Kupcho said. "So seeing a lot of things fall definitely helped with the confidence with my putter. I kind of just felt at home."
Kupcho entered the week after missing the cut in her previous three U.S. Women's Open starts, making Thursday's 66 a welcome change.
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav