South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim Opens Her U.S. Women's Open Campaign in Pacific Palisades

So here's what we know from the opening day of one of golf's most prestigious major championships — South Korean golfer Hyo Joo Kim stepped onto the course at the 2026 U.S. Women's Open, and all eyes were on her as the tournament got underway on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, California.

The U.S. Women's Open, for those less familiar, is one of the four major championships in women's professional golf and is organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). It's widely regarded as the most prestigious title in women's golf, and landing it on a course in the Los Angeles area adds a whole layer of excitement — especially given the scenic coastal backdrop that Pacific Palisades brings to the table.

Who Is Hyo Joo Kim?

If you follow women's golf at all, Hyo Joo Kim is a name you absolutely need to know. She is one of South Korea's most accomplished professional golfers, known for her powerful, fluid swing and her ability to perform under the pressure of major tournaments. South Korea has long been a dominant force in women's golf on the global stage, producing a remarkable number of world-class players who consistently compete — and win — at the highest levels of the sport.

What's really interesting is just how much Korean players have shaped the modern landscape of the LPGA Tour. Hyo Joo Kim is very much a part of that tradition, and her presence at a major like the U.S. Women's Open is never something the field takes lightly.

Opening Round Action at the 12th Hole

During the first round, Kim was captured in action at the 12th hole — both on the tee and mid-swing on the fairway — which gives us a sense that she was very much in the thick of competitive play as the tournament began. The 12th hole is typically a telling moment in any round, sitting right in the heart of the back nine where momentum can shift quickly.

So here's the thing about opening rounds at majors — they set the tone. A strong start can give a player confidence and breathing room heading into the weekend, while a shaky opener means you spend the next day clawing your way back into contention. The pressure is real from the very first tee shot.

A Major Tournament in a Landmark Setting

Hosting the U.S. Women's Open in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles is a significant moment for the tournament. The area is known for its stunning coastal geography and upscale surroundings, and bringing a USGA major to the Los Angeles market puts women's golf front and center in one of the most media-saturated cities in the world. That kind of visibility matters for the sport.

It also comes at a time when women's golf has been enjoying a surge in global interest, with major networks and streaming platforms giving the sport more coverage than ever before. A Los Angeles backdrop certainly doesn't hurt when it comes to attracting new fans to the game.

What to Watch For

With the first round underway, all eyes will be on how Hyo Joo Kim and the rest of the international field manage the course conditions over the coming days. Korean players have historically excelled at the U.S. Women's Open, and Kim will be hoping to add her name to that storied list of champions.

As the tournament progresses through the weekend, the leaderboard will tell the real story — but for now, Kim's presence in the field and her active play on day one signals that she came to compete. And in a major, that's exactly where you want to be.

Stay with kNews as we continue to follow the 2026 U.S. Women's Open and bring you updates on how South Korea's finest are faring on the course in Los Angeles.

This article is based on reports from Naver News, Naver News, Naver News.