Our picks to shine, the field to watch, and one unicorn you need to know.
The 81st U.S. Women's Open is heading somewhere it's never been before — and it couldn't be a more fitting stage.
Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California plays host to the championship June 4–7, marking the first time a USGA women's championship has ever been held at the historic venue. The same course that's hosted U.S. Opens and U.S. Amateurs on the men's side finally gets its women's major moment. U.S. Women's Open
Public golf on one of the most iconic private venues in America. We're here for it.
Here's how GRIPIT sees it going down.
The Field: Who's Coming to Riviera
Eleven past champions are entered, including 2025 champion Maja Stark, along with all 25 of the world's top-ranked players led by World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul. USGA Media Center
That's a stacked room. And Riviera — with its narrow fairways, kikuyu rough, and that famous bunker in the middle of the 10th green — is going to sort out the pretenders from the players fast.
Michelle Wie West is using her exemption status to compete in the U.S. Women's Open for the final time. Past champions Maja Stark, Ariya Jutanugarn, Yuka Saso, Minjee Lee and others are all in. Top-ranked players like Jeeno Thitikul, Nelly Korda, and Hyo Joo Kim already have their spots locked. Golf MonthlyGolf Monthly
This is as deep a women's major field as you'll see anywhere.
GRIPIT's Picks to Shine
🏌️♀️ Jeeno Thitikul — The Favorite World No. 1 for a reason. Ball-striking that belongs on another planet. Riviera rewards precision over power and Jeeno has both. If she putts even close to average, she wins by three.
🏌️♀️ Nelly Korda — The Competitor Korda at a major is always appointment television. She's been chasing another major title and Riviera sets up perfectly for her game. Don't count her out for a single round. She's a GRIPIT GOLF HOT PICK!!
🏌️♀️ Maja Stark — The Defending Champion Defending a U.S. Women's Open title is one of the hardest things in golf. But Stark is wired differently. Calm, methodical, built for pressure. She'll be in the mix Sunday.
🏌️♀️ Rose Zhang — The Comeback Story Zhang has had a rocky spell over the last year but Riviera is a home game for the Southern California native. Nothing like a home crowd and a chip on your shoulder to bring out someone's best golf. Golf Monthly
The Unicorn: Kaylyn Noh
Every major has one. The player nobody outside the golf world is talking about yet. The one who shows up, plays fearless golf, and makes everyone wonder where she came from.
This year at Riviera, that player is Kaylyn Noh.
A senior at Cal and a Rocklin, California native, Noh is described by her coach as "a powerful player, a long hitter, with high standards for herself on and off the golf course." She's not here to survive the cut. She's here to compete. California Golden Bears
She won the inaugural Virginia Women's Open and medaled at the CA Women's Amateur Championship — a resume that doesn't scream "ready for a major" to the casual observer, but anyone who's watched her play knows this is exactly the kind of stage she was built for. California Golden Bears
Long off the tee. Ice in her veins under pressure. Her mindset — "consistent and good golf" — isn't the answer of someone intimidated by the moment. It's the answer of someone who already knows what they're doing. Mustang News
Riviera is a course that rewards players who commit to every shot and trust their game without overthinking it. That's Kaylyn Noh to her core.
Watch her tee sheet Thursday morning. If she goes low early, Riviera is going to have a problem.
The GRIPIT Connection
Here's the part we can't help but love.
When Kaylyn Noh walks inside the ropes at Riviera Country Club this June, her caddy will be wearing GRIPIT Golf gear.
No corporate sponsor announcement. No velvet rope moment. Just a caddy strapped up with a bag on their shoulder, GRIPIT on their LID, doing what caddies do - reading greens, pulling clubs, keeping the game moving.
Irreverent golf showing up at the biggest stage in women's golf.
That's not a marketing moment. That's a mission statement.
Be There. Or Watch Every Shot.
The 81st U.S. Women's Open tees off June 4th at Riviera Country Club. Whether you're inside the ropes, parked in front of a screen, or following along hole by hole - this is the one to watch.
And when Kaylyn Noh makes her move, remember where you heard it first.
GRIPIT GOLF — Smooth Stroke. Embrace the Mulligan. Est. 2026 — Pacific Palisades is our kind of town. ⛳🌊