2026 U.S. Women's Open Friday Tee Times: Round 2 at Riviera

The Stage is Set in Pacific Palisades

There's a particular tension that hangs over a major championship on cut day, and Friday at Riviera Country Club will deliver it in abundance. The 2026 U.S. Women's Open continues with its second round, and the storied Los Angeles venue—with its eucalyptus-lined fairways and infamous barranca—will separate those who'll play the weekend from those heading home early.

I've walked Riviera dozens of times over the years, and there's something about the afternoon light slanting across those canyon holes that makes everything feel more dramatic. On Friday, with careers and legacies hanging in the balance, that drama will be very real indeed.

Korda Faces a Friday Fight

Nelly Korda arrived at Riviera chasing history—a second consecutive major championship and her first U.S. Women's Open title. But golf has a way of humbling even the best, and Thursday's opening round served as a stark reminder.

The World No. 1 started promisingly enough, birdieing the 11th hole after beginning on the back nine. But Riviera bit back immediately with consecutive bogeys at 12 and 13. Korda clawed one back with a birdie at the par-5 1st—her 10th hole of the day—but two more bogeys on her second nine left her signing for a two-over 73.

It's not a death sentence, but it's certainly not the commanding position Korda would have scripted. She'll need something special on Friday to work her way back into contention, or at minimum, a clean round to comfortably make the cut.

Korda tees off at 4:14 p.m. ET in the afternoon wave, paired once again with Hyo Joo Kim and Hannah Green. It's a formidable group that will draw galleries, and the late-afternoon conditions at Riviera—when the marine layer has burned off and the greens firm up—will test their mettle.

Marquee Pairings to Watch

The afternoon wave reads like a who's who of women's professional golf. Following Korda's group, Angel Yin, Gaby Lopez, and Ruoning Yin go at 4:25 p.m. ET, followed by Sei Young Kim, Linn Grant, and Andrea Lee at 4:36 p.m. ET.

Perhaps the most intriguing pairing of the day tees off at 4:47 p.m. ET: Jin Young Ko, Ayaka Furue, and Grace Kim. Ko, a former World No. 1, has the kind of precision game that Riviera rewards, and she'll be one to watch as the shadows lengthen.

The morning wave features its own compelling storylines. Rose Zhang, the young American star, goes at 10:18 a.m. ET alongside Yealimi Noh and amateur Aphrodite Deng. Zhang's ball-striking has been sublime this season, and Riviera's demanding approach shots should suit her game.

Yuka Saso, the 2021 U.S. Women's Open champion, tees off at 10:07 a.m. ET with Jeongeun Lee6 and amateur Kiara Romero. Saso knows what it takes to lift this trophy, and that experience could prove invaluable if she finds herself in contention.

How to Watch

Coverage of Friday's second round airs from 2-7 p.m. ET on USA Network, then shifts to Peacock for streaming from 7-10 p.m. ET. For those who want to follow specific groups throughout the day, featured group coverage is available via USWomensOpen.com, Peacock, the USGA app, YouTube TV, DirecTV, and Xfinity.

Selected Friday Tee Times (All Times ET)

10:07 a.m. – Yuka Saso, Jeongeun Lee6, Kiara Romero (a)
10:18 a.m. – Aphrodite Deng (a), Rose Zhang, Yealimi Noh
3:30 p.m. – Catherine Park, Lucy Li, Asterisk Talley (a)
4:03 p.m. – Minjee Lee, Lottie Woad, Nasa Hataoka
4:14 p.m. – Nelly Korda, Hyo Joo Kim, Hannah Green
4:47 p.m. – Jin Young Ko, Ayaka Furue, Grace Kim

The Takeaway

Friday at Riviera will reveal character. Korda's two-over start means she'll need to grind out a quality round just to see the weekend, while others will be looking to build on strong opening performances. The cut line at a U.S. Women's Open is always unforgiving, and Riviera—with its treacherous kikuyu rough and greens that punish imprecision—will show no mercy. This is what major championship golf is all about: pressure, drama, and the chance to witness greatness under duress.