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The hottest topic of this tournament is definitely the brilliant return of Kim Se-young. Kim Se-young, who hit 3 under par with 5 birdies and 2 bogeys in the third round, tied for the lead with a midterm total of 6 under par, shoulder to shoulder with world number one Nellie Korda. For her, who has been thirsting for a major championship since 2020, her performance at Riviera means more than just her performance. In particular, her precise driver shots that almost never miss the fairway and her concentration in every critical situation prove why she is a champion of her generation. As she aims to reclaim the major throne for the first time in 5 years and 8 months, her determination is stronger than ever.

Nellie Korda, who will compete with Kim Se-young for the championship trophy, is also in fear. Korda, who has already won three games this season and is showing overwhelming performance, turned the somewhat frustrating trend at the beginning of the tournament around with a magical play of three consecutive birdies at the end of the second half. For her, who remembers the disappointment of last year's runner-up finish, this competition is an important opportunity to put emphasis on her career. As Korda herself mentioned, the fact that she is free from the pressure of winning in the past and approaches the game with a freer mindset makes her an even more formidable competitor. Attention is being paid to how the performance worthy of the title of world No. 1 will be displayed in the final round.

Major Queen Jeon In-ji's presence is also the best point to watch in this tournament. Jeon In-ji, who won this competition in 2015, reduced two strokes, including an eagle, in the third round and rose to a tie for third place, just one stroke behind the leader. She showed her unwavering composure even in critical situations like falling into a bunker, proving once again why she is particularly strong on the big stage. For Jeon In-ji, who has not had any news of winning since 2022, this US Women's Open is the best stage to announce her revival after four years. Chasing the lead with Jennifer Kupcho, her sophisticated short game is enough to dream of a comeback on the final day.

Behind the fierce battle for the top ranks, there are also the tears of stars who have experienced painful frustration. Lydia Ko, who was aiming for a career Grand Slam record, unfortunately missed the cut by one stroke and had to wait for the next one. In addition, even champions who had won the US Women's Open in the past, such as Park Sung-hyun and Lee Jeong-eun6, were unable to overcome the increased course difficulty and putting difficulties and had to pack their bags. In particular, promising players such as Yoon Ina and Hwang Yumin also experienced the harsh reality of major tournaments as they suffered hardships just before making the cut. This is proof of the high level of sophistication and patience required by Riviera Country Club.

Meanwhile, this tournament was also a chance to reaffirm the potential of Korean players. Yoo Hyun-jo proved her potential as the next generation golf queen by tying for 8th place in just her second appearance, while Kang Min-ji also kept the embers of the championship race alive with a decent result of tying for 11th place. It is encouraging that Lim Jin-hee, Da-yeon Lee, and Yang Hee-young showed off their strong player base by fighting in the mid-tier. On the other hand, the challenge of 'mother golfer' Allison Lee, who returned to the tour after giving birth and leapt to the top, impressed many fans and enriched the narrative of this tournament. This tournament, where players from various generations and backgrounds are entangled, clearly demonstrates the dramatic charm of golf.