How to Watch 2026 U.S. Women's Open Round 1 at Riviera

A Cathedral of Golf Opens Its Doors

There are courses you play, and then there are courses that play you. Riviera Country Club belongs firmly in the latter category, and this Thursday morning, the finest women in professional golf will discover exactly what I mean when they step onto one of America's most demanding canvases.

The 2026 U.S. Women's Open begins today in Los Angeles, and if you're not planning to be glued to your screen, you're missing what could be one of the most consequential rounds of the season. Nelly Korda arrives at Riviera not merely as the favorite, but as a player on the precipice of something extraordinary.

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

Let me put Korda's 2026 season into perspective. In seven tournaments, she has finished outside the top two exactly once. She's won three times, including her third career major at the Chevron Championship. And perhaps most painfully relevant: she finished runner-up at last year's U.S. Women's Open, watching Maja Stark hoist the trophy she so desperately wanted.

A victory this week would give Korda the second leg of the single-season Grand Slam—a feat so rare in women's golf that even contemplating it feels audacious. Yet here we are, and here she is, the World No. 1 with the game to make it happen.

How to Watch Thursday's Opening Round

Coverage begins on USA Network at 2 p.m. ET and runs through 7 p.m. ET. After that, Peacock takes over with exclusive streaming coverage from 7-10 p.m. ET—so make sure your subscription is active if you want to see how the afternoon wave finishes under California's golden evening light.

For those who want to follow specific groups throughout the day, featured group coverage is available through multiple platforms:

USWomensOpen.com
The USGA App
Peacock
YouTube TV
DirecTV
Xfinity

Notable Round 1 Tee Times (ET)

The draw sheets read like a who's who of women's golf. Amy Yang, the reigning PGA Championship winner, goes out at 11:02 a.m. alongside the talented Ingrid Lindblad and Julia Lopez Ramirez. Leona Maguire tees it up at 10:40 a.m. with Ina Yoon and Steph Kyriacou—a group worth watching for its mix of European flair and emerging talent.

The early wave begins just before 10 a.m. local time, when the marine layer will likely still be clinging to the canyon walls that frame Riviera's iconic layout. Those morning starters will face a different test than the afternoon groups, who'll contend with firmer conditions and—if history is any guide—Riviera's notorious kikuyu rough at its grabbiest.

Why Riviera Matters

I've walked Riviera's fairways more times than I can count, and each visit reminds me why it's considered one of George Thomas's finest works. The barranca that bisects the course isn't just a hazard; it's a philosophical statement about risk and reward. The sixth hole's bunker-in-the-green remains one of golf's most delightful oddities. And the closing stretch demands precision when fatigue is at its peak.

This is a course that rewards creativity but punishes hubris. For the U.S. Women's Open—a championship defined by its demanding setups—Riviera provides the perfect stage.

The Takeaway

Thursday's opening round sets the tone for what could be a historic week. Tune in to USA Network starting at 2 p.m. ET, then switch to Peacock at 7 p.m. for the conclusion. Whether you're watching for Korda's Grand Slam chase, the sheer beauty of Riviera under championship conditions, or simply the joy of elite golf, this is appointment viewing. Don't miss it.