Wu Chia-yen Leads Taiwanese Contingent at U.S. Women's Open, Tied for 42nd After Round 1
Taiwanese golfer Wu Chia-yen, who plays primarily on the JLPGA, shot a 1-over-par 72 in the first round of the 2026 U.S. Women's Open, placing her in a tie for 42nd, the best among four Taiwanese competitors.
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- 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 12:40
- 🔍 Collected: June 5, 2026 at 12:57 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 15:15 (26h 17m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, reporter Li Jianzhong, Taipei, June 5) The first round of the 2026 U.S. Women's Open was held today. Taiwanese player Wu Chia-yen, who competes on the Japanese tour, carded a 1-over-par 72 with three birdies and four bogeys, placing her in a tie for 42nd, the best performance among the four Taiwanese players in the field.
Organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the tournament has a total purse of $12 million (approximately NT$3.7 billion). The event is being held at The Riviera Country Club in California, which will also host the golf competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Wu, 22, has been playing on the Japan LPGA (JLPGA) for the past three years and has won two tournaments on the tour. She earned her first-ever berth in the U.S. Women's Open this year through a regional qualifier.
Starting on the 1st hole, Wu bogeyed the 2nd hole but then played the rest of the front nine at par for a 36. On the back nine, her precise iron play came to the fore, with birdies on the 10th and 13th holes.
However, she stumbled down the stretch, recording three bogeys and only one birdie over the final five holes to finish at 72. Her driving was a major issue, as she hit only 50% of fairways, forcing her to play her second shots from the rough and reducing her birdie opportunities.
Former world No. 1 Tseng Ya-ni also had a decent start, birdying her first hole but failing to maintain momentum. She shot a 73 with two birdies and four bogeys, placing her in a tie for 56th and keeping her in contention to make the cut.
Among the other Taiwanese players, Chien Pei-yun, competing in the event for the first time in seven years, shot a 74 to sit tied for 85th. The youngest player in the field, 15-year-old amateur Lin Chieh-en, shot a 77 in her debut, placing her in a tie for 127th.
The U.S. Women's Open is a 72-hole stroke play event. The top 60 players (including ties) after 36 holes will advance to the weekend. After the first round, American Jennifer Kupcho leads the field with a 6-under-par 66. (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150605
Organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the tournament has a total purse of $12 million (approximately NT$3.7 billion). The event is being held at The Riviera Country Club in California, which will also host the golf competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Wu, 22, has been playing on the Japan LPGA (JLPGA) for the past three years and has won two tournaments on the tour. She earned her first-ever berth in the U.S. Women's Open this year through a regional qualifier.
Starting on the 1st hole, Wu bogeyed the 2nd hole but then played the rest of the front nine at par for a 36. On the back nine, her precise iron play came to the fore, with birdies on the 10th and 13th holes.
However, she stumbled down the stretch, recording three bogeys and only one birdie over the final five holes to finish at 72. Her driving was a major issue, as she hit only 50% of fairways, forcing her to play her second shots from the rough and reducing her birdie opportunities.
Former world No. 1 Tseng Ya-ni also had a decent start, birdying her first hole but failing to maintain momentum. She shot a 73 with two birdies and four bogeys, placing her in a tie for 56th and keeping her in contention to make the cut.
Among the other Taiwanese players, Chien Pei-yun, competing in the event for the first time in seven years, shot a 74 to sit tied for 85th. The youngest player in the field, 15-year-old amateur Lin Chieh-en, shot a 77 in her debut, placing her in a tie for 127th.
The U.S. Women's Open is a 72-hole stroke play event. The top 60 players (including ties) after 36 holes will advance to the weekend. After the first round, American Jennifer Kupcho leads the field with a 6-under-par 66. (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150605