The 2025 U.S. Women's Open commenced with a remarkable display of talent, resulting in a six-way tie for the lead after the first round at Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin. Angel Yin, A Lim Kim, Jinhee Im, Yealimi Noh, Rio Takeda, and Julia Lopez Ramirez each carded a 4-under-par 68, setting a competitive tone for the championship.
Angel Yin's decision to debut a new putter paid dividends, as she sank a 13½-foot birdie on the par-5 18th hole. Reflecting on her choice, Yin stated, "I know U.S. Open is going to be extremely fast, so I wanted to find a putter that will hold the ground and just do what I want it to do."
Julia Lopez Ramirez delivered a bogey-free round in her U.S. Women's Open debut, showcasing resilience after recovering from an appendectomy earlier this year. "I feel like my confidence is coming back," she remarked, indicating a promising return to form.
Rio Takeda's performance was highlighted by six birdies over a nine-hole stretch, compensating for two bogeys and securing her position atop the leaderboard. Yealimi Noh's round included an eagle on the par-5 14th hole, contributing to her share of the lead. Jinhee Im maintained a bogey-free scorecard, with four birdies between holes 10 and 14. A Lim Kim, the 2020 champion, impressed with long birdie putts of 42½ feet on No. 1 and 32½ feet on No. 3.
The favorable scoring conditions were attributed to calm winds and receptive greens, factors that players like Noh acknowledged. "There are some tees out that are pulled up, and a lot of the par-5s, I think all of them are reachable," Noh explained.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda concluded the day with an even-par 72, while second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul and third-ranked Lydia Ko posted scores of 75 and 73, respectively. As the tournament progresses, the tightly packed leaderboard promises an exciting contest for the title.