LPGA: U.S. Women's Open tees off

The GIST: Forget The Match, the U.S. Women’s Open — the LPGA’s second major of the year — tees off tomorrow from Southern Pines, North Carolina, with a record-setting $10 million purse on the line. Cha-ching.

The top storylines: A return to the tour and an imminent farewell are dominating the headlines ahead of tomorrow’s tourney start. American and world No. 2 Nelly Korda will play her first event since February after taking time off due to a scary blood clot.

• Meanwhile, LPGA vet Michelle Wie West (who qualified for her first LPGA event at just 12 years old) will compete in her penultimate U.S. Open, announcing yesterday that she plans to retire from the tour after playing in next year’s edition.

The top contenders: With a different winner at each LPGA event this season, the field is wide open at Southern Pines. World No. 1 Jin Young Ko is the favorite and will be looking for her first major win since 2019.

• Other golfers to watch include world No. 4 Minjee Lee, who is fresh off a victory at last month’s Founders Cup, and defending U.S. Open champ, world No. 15 Yuka Saso.

• An up-and-comer to keep an eye on? Rose Zhang, who just wrapped up her freshman year at Stanford by winning the NCAA individual title, a team national title and inking Adidas’ first-ever NIL deal. Impossible really is nothing.