LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (April 20, 2026) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that five-time major champion Yani Tseng has accepted a special exemption into the 81st U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally, which will be contested June 4-7 at The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif.
Tseng, 37, compiled one of the most dominant stretches in the history of women’s golf between 2008 and 2011. She won five major championships in that time, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2008 and 2011, the 2010 and 2011 Women’s British Open and the 2010 Chevron Championship. She finished T-10 at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open, her best finish in 12 appearances in the championship.
“Receiving this special exemption to the U.S. Women’s Open means so much to me,” said Tseng. “This championship has always held a special place in my heart, and I’m incredibly grateful to the USGA for the opportunity to compete again on one of the game’s biggest stages. Riviera is such an iconic venue, and I’m excited to test my game there and be part of what I know will be an unforgettable week.”
From 2011 to 2013, Tseng spent 109 consecutive weeks as the No. 1 player in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, the fourth longest consecutive run of all time. She claimed 15 LPGA Tour wins during her career, including seven in 2011 alone. That same year she won Rolex Player of the Year, earned the Vare Trophy and became the youngest player, male or female, to win five major championships by the age 23.
After taking a break from professional golf, Tseng returned to full-time competition in 2025 and, last May, qualified for the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, her first appearance in the championship in nine years. She has since added another professional victory after clinching the title at the The Wistron Ladies Open, an event on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
As an amateur, Tseng defeated defending champion Michelle Wie in the final of the 2004 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links.
“Yani Tseng’s career is defined by one of the most dominant stretches in the women’s game, and it has been inspirational to see her return and have success at a high level,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer. “We are proud to welcome Yani back once again to the U.S. Women’s Open and add such an accomplished player to this year’s field.”
Qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open began on Monday (April 20). Click here to see the full list of players exempt into the 81st U.S. Women’s Open and here for qualifying sites and results.
The Riviera Country Club is hosting its fourth USGA championship and first since Doc Redman’s 37-hole final-match victory over Doug Ghim in the 2017 U.S. Amateur. This will be the sixth U.S. Women’s Open hosted in the state of California. Riviera will also be the host site for the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2031 U.S. Open.
About the USGA
The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. The USGA also manages day-to-day operations for the U.S. National Development Program, the country's first unified pathway for American talent, and the World Golf Hall of Fame, preserving and celebrating the legacies of the game’s greatest figures. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. For more, visit usga.org.