Riviera's Grand Stage: How to Watch Round 2 of the U.S. Women's Open

There's something almost theatrical about Riviera Country Club when the afternoon light hits those eucalyptus-lined fairways. And this week, as the U.S. Women's Open makes its historic first visit to this Los Angeles gem, the stage couldn't be more spectacular.
A Leader Worthy of the Venue
After Thursday's opening round, Jennifer Kupcho sits atop the leaderboard at five under par, a single shot clear of the field. The American crafted a masterful round—seven birdies against just two bogeys—the kind of ball-striking clinic that Riviera's strategic demands absolutely require.
Kupcho knows what it takes to win on golf's grandest stages. Her 2019 Augusta National Women's Amateur victory announced her arrival, and her 2022 Chevron Championship triumph confirmed she belongs among the elite. Watching her navigate Riviera's infamous barranca and that devilish par-3 sixth hole has been a genuine pleasure.
Sei Young Kim lurks just one back at four under, while defending champion Maja Stark opened at even par—hardly out of contention on a course where patience is rewarded. World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself seven shots off the pace after a 73, though anyone who's watched enough major championships knows Friday holds its own drama.
Your Friday Viewing Guide
For those of us who can't be walking Riviera's canyon-carved terrain in person, here's how to bring the championship into your living room:
Television Coverage
USA Network carries the main broadcast from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Friday. This is your window for the bulk of second-round action, when the leaders will be making their moves through Riviera's back nine.
Streaming Options
Peacock picks up exclusive coverage from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, capturing those late-round finishes when the California sun dips toward the Pacific and the pressure intensifies.
For featured group coverage—often where the real stories unfold—you have several options:
- USWomensOpen.com
- The USGA App
- Peacock
- YouTube TV
- DirecTV
- Xfinity
Tee Times Worth Noting
Round 2 begins early, with morning groups teeing off from 9:45 a.m. ET. The afternoon wave, featuring many of Thursday's leaders, starts at 3:30 p.m. ET.
I'd pay particular attention to Rose Zhang's group (10:18 a.m. ET) alongside Yealimi Noh—two young Americans who know Southern California golf intimately. And the morning group featuring Yuka Saso and Jeongeun Lee6, both past U.S. Women's Open champions, tees off at 10:07 a.m. ET.
The afternoon brings Lucy Li and rising amateur star Asterisk Talley at 3:30 p.m. ET—the kind of pairing that hints at the championship's future.
Why Riviera Matters
I've walked Riviera's fairways during PGA Tour events, and there's a texture to this place that television only partially captures. The way the kikuyu grass grabs at approach shots, the strategic puzzles Ben Hogan loved so much, the barranca that bisects the course with beautiful menace—it all adds up to something special.
This is Riviera's first U.S. Women's Open, and watching these players solve its riddles has been revelatory. The course doesn't care about your reputation; it demands execution.
The Takeaway
Friday's second round promises to reshape the leaderboard as the cut looms. Tune into USA Network at 2 p.m. ET, then shift to Peacock for the evening conclusion. Jennifer Kupcho has the lead, but Riviera has a way of rewriting scripts. Don't miss it.