Get ready for Round 3 of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera! Find out who’s playing when and where to watch all the action.
Alright, golf fans, buckle up. The 2026 U.S. Women’s Open is heating up at the legendary Riviera Country Club, and if you thought Friday was wild, Saturday’s looking even juicier. We saw some serious drama unfold, from Nelly Korda battling back after a rough Thursday to players grinding out pars like their lives depended on it. This is where the real story starts to get written. Forget just watching; you need to know who’s where and when they’re hitting the links. Let’s dive into the Saturday tee times and what’s on the line.
The Leaders and How They Got There
So, who’s sitting pretty at the top heading into Saturday? Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin are sharing the lead at four under par. These two really showed some grit. Lee, in particular, talked about how crucial those par saves were. You know, the kind where you push your drive into the rough, punch out, and then drain a 6-footer? Yeah, those are the shots that make or break a tournament. It’s not just about bombing it; it’s about scrambling and keeping that scorecard clean. They’ve earned their spot in the final pairing, and you can bet they’ll be feeling the pressure.
Then you’ve got Jennifer Kupcho right on their heels, just one shot back at three under. She’s been playing solid, and if she gets hot, watch out. And Nelly Korda? After a shaky start on Thursday, she absolutely lit it up on Friday with the lowest round of the day, a four-under 67. That’s the Nelly we know and love, back in the hunt. She’s sitting at two under, and you’d be a fool to count her out. This championship is far from decided, and Riviera is known for throwing curveballs.
What You Need to Watch For Today
Saturday at a major is always special. The course is usually playing tougher, the crowds are bigger, and the nerves are higher. For the leaders, it’s about staying in their own world, focusing on their game, and not getting too caught up in what everyone else is doing. For the chasers like Korda and Kupcho, it’s about making a statement early, putting pressure on the leaders, and picking up strokes wherever they can. We might see some big moves, some spectacular shots, and probably a few agonizing mistakes. That’s golf, right?
It’s also worth remembering the storylines. We saw Michelle Wie West play her final U.S. Women’s Open, and while she missed the cut this year, her presence always adds a certain something. For the current crop of players, every shot is a chance to etch their name in history. Riviera is a classic, a true test of golf, and winning here is a career-defining moment. Expect some fireworks. This is where legends are made, or at least where they get a serious boost.
The Saturday Schedule: Who Tees Off When
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. If you want to follow your favorites, you need the times. The third round kicks off bright and early, with the first groups heading out just before noon. The later tee times are where the real drama usually unfolds, with the leading contenders going out in the afternoon. Here’s the full rundown for Saturday’s third round:
Tee No. 1 Tee Times
- 11:55 a.m. – Yue Zhang, Chia Yen Wu
- 12:05 p.m. – Ingrid Lindblad, Lottie Woad
- 12:15 p.m. – Sakura Koiwai, Asterisk Talley (a)
- 12:25 p.m. – Liqi Zeng, Rio Takeda
- 12:35 p.m. – Celine Boutier, Jinhee Im
- 12:45 p.m. – Mao Saigo, Yealimi Noh
- 12:55 p.m. – Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Minsol Kim
- 1:10 p.m. – DaYeon Lee, Nataliya Guseva
- 1:20 p.m. – Minjee Lee, Kaleiya Romero
- 1:30 p.m. – Farah O’Keefe (a), Gurleen Kaur
- 1:40 p.m. – Charley Hull, Rose Zhang
- 1:50 p.m. – A Lim Kim, Anna Nordqvist
- 2:00 p.m. – Yuri Yoshida, Esther Henseleit
- 2:10 p.m. – Grace Kim, Ayaka Furue
- 2:25 p.m. – Amy Yang, Lucy Li
- 2:35 p.m. – Bianca Pagdanganan, Ariya Jutanugarn
- 2:45 p.m. – Shiho Kuwaki, Ana Belac
- 2:55 p.m. – Shuri Sakuma, Maria José Marin (a)
- 3:05 p.m. – Julia Lopez Ramirez, Hannah Green
- 3:15 p.m. – Miyu Yamashita, Maja Stark
- 3:25 p.m. – Melanie Green, Minji Kang
- 3:40 p.m. – Hye-Jin Choi, Pajaree Anannarukarn
- 3:50 p.m. – Aphrodite Deng (a), Aki Iwai
- 4:00 p.m. – Kiara Romero (a), Xiyu Janet Lin
- 4:10 p.m. – Karis Davidson, Somi Lee
- 4:20 p.m. – Brooke Henderson, Jeeno Thitikul
- 4:30 p.m. – Nasa Hataoka, Patty Tavatanakit
- 4:40 p.m. – Allisen Corpuz, Jiyai Shin
- 4:55 p.m. – Nelly Korda, Sora Kamiya
- 5:05 p.m. – Casandra Alexander, Lauren Coughlin
- 5:15 p.m. – Sei Young Kim, Gaby Lopez
- 5:25 p.m. – Hyunjo Yoo, Hinako Shibuno
- 5:35 p.m. – Jennifer Kupcho, In Gee Chun
- 5:45 p.m. – Ruoning Yin, Alison Lee
How to Catch All the Action
Don’t have a ticket to Riviera? No sweat. You can still catch all the thrilling third-round action. For those in the U.S., tune into USA Network from 5-7 p.m. ET. Then, the coverage shifts to NBC from 7-10 p.m. ET. If you’re a cord-cutter, Peacock has you covered with simulcasts of NBC’s broadcast. And if you want to follow specific groups or get even more in-depth coverage, check out USWomensOpen.com, the USGA App, YouTube TV, DirecTV, and Xfinity for featured group coverage. There’s really no excuse to miss any of the key moments today.
Watching a major championship unfold is always a treat. The pressure cooker environment at Riviera is bound to produce some unforgettable golf. We’ll see who handles it best, who cracks, and who emerges with a genuine shot at hoisting that trophy on Sunday. Keep an eye on those early starters too; sometimes, a scorching round from a player further down the leaderboard can shift the entire dynamic. It’s never over until it’s over, especially at a U.S. Women’s Open.
This tournament is more than just a series of tee times; it’s a battle of wills, a test of skill, and a showcase of the best talent in women’s golf. The Riviera Country Club is a historic venue, and adding a U.S. Women’s Open to its resume is a big deal. The players know it, the fans know it, and the course itself seems to know it, ready to challenge every single competitor. Make sure you’re tuned in to see who seizes the opportunity on Saturday.
For those looking to improve their own game after watching these incredible athletes, remember that practice and dedication are key. Even the pros spend countless hours honing their skills. If you’re looking for resources on improving your golf game, check out some of the fantastic advice available from organizations like the PGA of America. They offer tips and insights that can help golfers of all levels.
Ultimately, the U.S. Women’s Open is a celebration of golf. It’s about the competition, the camaraderie, and the sheer love of the game. As the players navigate the challenges of Riviera, we get to witness moments of brilliance, resilience, and sportsmanship. Saturday promises to be another epic day of golf, so grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy the show. Who will be in the best position heading into Sunday’s final round? We’ll find out soon enough.