CHASKA, Minn. — They lined up on the way to the first tee at Hazeltine National, 26 girls who ranged in age from 6 to 17, wearing U.S. soccer jerseys with Nelly Korda’s named stretched across the back. Colorful posters in hand.
“I’m going to explode when she starts to tee off,” said 8-year-old Elise DeBuse, who was mic’d up of the occasion.
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For 10-year-old Hazel Gabbert, the KPMG Women’s PGA was her first LPGA event. Hazel could quit golf in a few years or play for a lifetime, her father figured, but Thursday at Hazeltine, walking around with friends watching the best American player in decades, was a day they won’t forget.
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Nelly Korda of the United States putts on the first green during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Nelly Korda of the United States putts on the first green during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Megan Khang of the United States plays her second shot on the first hole during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Muni He of China walks on the first hole during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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2026 KPMG Women’s PGA tee times, how to watch Thursday’s first round at Hazeltine
A view of an event flag on course during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Jin Young Ko of South Korea celebrates her playing partner’s putt on the first green during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Hinako Shibuno of Japan waves on the first hole during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
A view of an event flag on course during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
LPGA Commissioner, Craig Kessler, PGA of America CEO, Terry Clark and KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO, Tim Walsh speak to the media during a press conference prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
LPGA Commissioner, Craig Kessler, speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand speaks to the media during a press conference following a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Ruoning Yin of China speaks to the media during a press conference following a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
Lottie Woad of England speaks to the media during a press conference following a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship trophy is displayed on the ninth green during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Check out the best photos from the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine
A weather warning is displayed as play is suspended during a Pro-Am prior to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 23, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
“When they wanted me to sign anything during the round I did it,” said a grateful Korda, who attended her first professional event not too far away at Interlachen Country Club in Edina for the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open. Korda, who was 9 years old at the time, remembers the rental house having a trampoline, and big sister Jessica taking her into the player locker room a couple times.
At Hazeltine, Korda opened with a 2-under 70 to trail South Korea’s Ina Yoon by seven strokes, the same deficit she faced after the first round at Riviera earlier this month, where she clawed back to make the U.S. Women’s Open her fourth career major title and second this season.
