Players to watch at 2023 U.S. Women's Open

Pebble Beach, CA – The 78th annual United States Women's Open will be held this week from July 6 to 9 at majestic Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. Minjee Lee enters the championship as defending champion, but many names are poised to clinch this women's major title, including the returning Annika Sorenstam who's looking for her fourth title, and rising stars like Rose Zhang, Nelly Korda and many more. Here are some of top players to watch at 2023 U.S. Women's Open!

1. Annika Sorenstam

The legendary Swedish golfer will make her return to the championship since she last played 15 years ago in 2008. Out of her ten major titles, Annika has won three U.S. Women's Open titles, the last in 2006 through a 18-hole playoff. Winning the title this year in 2023 will equal Mickey Wright and Betsy Rawls' four titles, and will also surpass Juli Inkster as the oldest ever champion in championship history.

2. Nelly Korda

The current world number two looks poised to win the title, but last year the younger Korda finished tied for eighth. Already winning the Olympic gold medal two years ago, Nelly is seeking for her 2nd major title after 2021 KPMG Women's PGA.

3. Jin-Young Ko

The world number one South Korean golfer also looks for the title, after she won two LPGA tournaments earlier this year including in Singapore. Jin-Young finished runner-up in 2020 behind that year's winner Ah-Lim Kim.

4. Lydia Ko

The 26-year-old New Zealander is already having a rough start of her 2023 season, but the 2022 LPGA Player of the Year is also looking for her third major title. Back in 2016 edition, she was leading the championship heading to the final round, only before Brittany Lang defeated Lydia in the playoff.

5. Rose Zhang

Over the past couple of years, the LPGA Tour have produced some of the new major champions, from Patty Tavatanakit at 2021 Chevron Championship, to Ruoning Yin at last month's KPMG Women's PGA Championship. And now, 20-year-old Rose Zhang will join the list. Having turned pro in May after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur the previous month, the Californian made sensation after winning the Mizuho Americas Open, just few days after she turned pro. And on her favorite golf course, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Rose will aim for the title, and this year's U.S. Women's Open could be hers.

So who will win the 78th U.S. Women's Open? Find out LIVE, July 6-9, only on NBC and Peacock!

Also follow the live action on uswomensopen.com and on USGA app!