U.S. Women's Open

The U.S. Women's Open, one of nine national golf championships conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), is the oldest of the LPGA Tour's five major championships, which includes the ANA Inspiration, Women's PGA Championship, Women's British Open, and The Evian Championship.

U.S. Women's Open
Tournament information
LocationHouston, Texas
in 2020
Established1946, 75 years ago
Course(s)Champions Golf Club in 2020
Jackrabbit and Cypress Creek courses
Par71 (in 2020)
Length7,301 yd (6,676 m) (Cypress Creek) and 7,021 yd (6,420 m) (Jackrabbit) in 2020
Organized byUSGA (since 1953)
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$5.5 million in 2020
Month playedDecember in 2020
Tournament record score
Aggregate272 Annika Sörenstam (1996)
272 Juli Inkster (1999)
272 Chun In-gee (2015)
To par–16 Juli Inkster (1999)
Current champion
Kim A-lim
2020 U.S. Women's Open

Established 75 years ago in 1946, the U.S. Women's Open is the only event to have been recognized as a major by the LPGA since the group's founding in 1950. Originally operated by the Women's Professional Golfers Association (WPGA) for its first three years and the LPGA for the next four, it became a USGA event in 1953.[1] Now held in late May/early June. the U.S. Women's Open is the second major of the LPGA season and has the highest purse in women's golf, at $5.5 million in 2019.[2] For 2020, it will be the final major of the year and be held for the first time over two courses, as it will be held in December, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that postponed golf tournaments from March through June.[3]

Unlike the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women's Open is not globally recognized as a major championship. The Ladies European Tour does not sanction any of the three majors held in the United States, and the LPGA of Japan Tour has its own set of majors. The significance of this is limited, as the LPGA Tour is the dominant tour in women's golf.

In 2007, international players outnumbered Americans for the first time.[4] The 2008 tournament was won by 19-year-old South Korean Inbee Park, who became the event's youngest winner ever.

Beginning in 2018, the U.S. Women's Open will be held prior to its men's counterpart (rather than following it and the U.S. Senior Open), in order to "provide optimum playing conditions for the world's best players across a broader variety of the country's finest golf courses."[5]

The playoff format was modified in 2018, reduced from three to two aggregate holes, followed by sudden death.[6] The last 18-hole playoff was in 2006; the three-hole playoff was introduced the following year and used in 2011 and 2016.

Qualification

The U.S. Women's Open is open to any professional or amateur female golfer. Amateurs must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4,[7] lowered in 2014 from 4.4 in 2013.[8] Players may obtain a place by being exempt or by competing successfully in qualifying.

In 2002, a two-stage method of qualification was introduced: 18 holes for local qualifying and 36 holes for sectional qualifying. In 2010, the qualification process reverted to a single sectional stage of 36 holes played on a single day.

The criteria for exemption from qualifying has changed through the years. In 2010, there were eleven exemption categories, including winners of the U.S. Women's Open for the last ten years, winners of the other three majors for the last five years, the top 50 from the previous year's LPGA Tour money list, the top five from the previous year's Japan LPGA Tour, Korea LPGA Tour, and Ladies European Tour money lists, and official winners of LPGA co-sponsored events for the 52-week period prior to the U.S. Women's Open.[9]

There is no upper or lower age limit. The youngest-ever qualifiers were 11-year-old Lucy Li in 2014,[10] and 12-year-old Lexi Thompson in 2007.[11]

Winners of major amateur tournaments are also exempt. Currently, winners of the U.S. Girls' Junior, and U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur and the finalist of the U.S. Women's Amateur (all USGA events) are exempt provided they did not turn professional beforehand. Winners of the Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship will qualify effective with the inaugural tournament in 2019. The U.S. Women's Amateur champion is exempt, regardless of turning professional between the Women's Amateur and the U.S. Women's Open as a result of an August 2019 rule change by the USGA.[12]

Winners

The number following some winners' names indicates the cumulative number of U.S. Women's Open wins for that player.

YearChampionCountryVenueLocationScoreTo parPurse
($)[13]
Winner's
share ($)
2020Kim A-lim South KoreaChampions Golf ClubHouston, TX281-35,500,0001,000,000
2019Lee Jeong-eun South KoreaCountry Club of CharlestonCharleston, SC278−65,500,0001,000,000
2018Ariya Jutanugarn ThailandShoal Creek Golf and Country ClubShoal Creek, AL277−11 PO5,000,000900,000
2017Park Sung-hyun South KoreaTrump National Golf ClubBedminster, NJ277−115,000,000900,000
2016Brittany Lang United StatesCordeValle Golf ClubSan Martin, CA282−6 PO4,500,000810,000
2015Chun In-gee South KoreaLancaster Country ClubLancaster, PA272−84,500,000810,000
2014Michelle Wie United StatesPinehurst Resort, Course No. 2Pinehurst, NC278−24,000,000720,000
2013Inbee Park (2) South KoreaSebonack Golf ClubSouthampton, NY280−83,250,000585,000
2012Choi Na-yeon South KoreaBlackwolf Run, composite courseKohler, WI281−73,250,000585,000
2011Ryu So-yeon South KoreaBroadmoor Golf Club, East CourseColorado Springs, CO281−3 PO3,250,000585,000
2010Paula Creamer United StatesOakmont Country ClubPlum, PA281−33,250,000585,000
2009Ji Eun-hee South KoreaSaucon Valley Country ClubBethlehem, PA284E3,250,000585,000
2008Inbee Park South KoreaInterlachen Country ClubEdina, MN283−93,250,000585,000
2007Cristie Kerr United StatesPine Needles Lodge and Golf ClubSouthern Pines, NC279−53,100,000560,000
2006Annika Sörenstam (3) SwedenNewport Country ClubNewport, RI284E PO3,100,000560,000
2005Birdie Kim South KoreaCherry Hills Country ClubCherry Hills Village, CO287+33,100,000560,000
2004Meg Mallon (2) United StatesThe Orchards Golf ClubSouth Hadley, MA274−103,100,000560,000
2003Hilary Lunke United StatesPumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Witch Hollow CourseNorth Plains, OR283−1 PO3,100,000560,000
2002Juli Inkster (2) United StatesPrairie Dunes Golf ClubHutchinson, KS276−43,000,000535,000
2001Karrie Webb (2) AustraliaPine Needles Lodge and Golf ClubSouthern Pines, NC273−72,900,000520,000
2000Karrie Webb AustraliaMerit ClubLibertyville, IL282−62,750,000500,000
1999Juli Inkster United StatesOld Waverly Golf ClubWest Point, MS272−161,750,000315,000
1998Pak Se-ri South KoreaBlackwolf Run, composite courseKohler, WI290+6 PO1,500,000267,500
1997Alison Nicholas EnglandPumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Witch Hollow CourseNorth Plains, OR274−101,300,000232,500
1996Annika Sörenstam (2) SwedenPine Needles Lodge and Golf ClubSouthern Pines, NC272−81,200,000212,500
1995Annika Sörenstam SwedenBroadmoor Golf Club, East CourseColorado Springs, CO278−21,000,000175,000
1994Patty Sheehan (2) United StatesIndianwood Golf and Country Club, Old CourseLake Orion, MI277−7850,000155,000
1993Lauri Merten United StatesCrooked Stick Golf ClubCarmel, IN280−8800,000144,000
1992Patty Sheehan United StatesOakmont Country ClubPlum, PA280−4 PO700,000130,000
1991Meg Mallon United StatesColonial Country ClubFort Worth, TX283−1600,000110,000
1990Betsy King (2) United StatesAtlanta Athletic Club, Riverside CourseDuluth, GA[N 1]284−4500,00085,000
1989Betsy King United StatesIndianwood Golf and Country Club, Old CourseLake Orion, MI278−2450,00080,000
1988Liselotte Neumann SwedenBaltimore Country Club, Five Farms, East CourseBaltimore, MD277−7400,00070,000
1987Laura Davies EnglandPlainfield Country ClubEdison, NJ285−3 PO325,00055,000
1986Jane Geddes United StatesNCR Country ClubKettering, OH287−1 PO300,00050,000
1985Kathy Baker United StatesBaltusrol Golf Club, Upper CourseSpringfield, NJ280−8250,00041,975
1984Hollis Stacy (3) United StatesSalem Country ClubPeabody, MA290+2225,00036,000
1983Jan Stephenson AustraliaCedar Ridge Country ClubBroken Arrow, OK290+6200,00032,780
1982Janet Alex United StatesDel Paso Country ClubSacramento, CA283−5175,00027,315
1981Pat Bradley United StatesLa Grange Country ClubLa Grange, IL279−9150,00022,000
1980Amy Alcott United StatesRichland Country ClubNashville, TN280−4140,00020,047
1979Jerilyn Britz United StatesBrooklawn Country ClubFairfield, CT284E125,00019,000
1978Hollis Stacy (2) United StatesCountry Club of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN289+5100,00015,000
1977Hollis Stacy United StatesHazeltine National Golf ClubChaska, MN292+475,00011,040
1976JoAnne Carner (2) United StatesRolling Green Golf ClubSpringfield, PA292+8 PO60,0009,054
1975Sandra Palmer United StatesAtlantic City Country ClubNorthfield, NJ295+755,0008,044
1974Sandra Haynie United StatesLa Grange Country ClubLa Grange, IL295+740,0006,073
1973Susie Berning (3) United StatesCountry Club of RochesterRochester, NY290+240,0006,000
1972Susie Berning (2) United StatesWinged Foot Golf Club, East CourseMamaroneck, NY299+1140,0006,000
1971JoAnne Carner United StatesKahkwa ClubErie, PA288E31,0005,000
1970Donna Caponi (2) United StatesMuskogee Country ClubMuskogee, OK287−130,0005,000
1969Donna Caponi United StatesScenic Hills Country ClubPensacola, FL294+631,0405,000
1968Susie Berning United StatesMoselem Springs Golf ClubFleetwood, PA289+525,0005,000
1967Catherine Lacoste (a) FranceThe HomesteadHot Springs, VA294+625,0000
1966Sandra Spuzich United StatesHazeltine National Golf ClubChaska, MN297+920,0004,000
1965Carol Mann United StatesAtlantic City Country ClubNorthfield, NJ290+217,7803,800
1964Mickey Wright (4) United StatesSan Diego Country ClubChula Vista, CA290−2 PO9,9002,090
1963Mary Mills United StatesKenwood Country ClubCincinnati, OH289−39,0001,900
1962Murle Lindstrom United StatesDunes Golf and Beach ClubMyrtle Beach, SC301+138,0001,800
1961Mickey Wright (3) United StatesBaltusrol Golf Club, Lower CourseSpringfield, NJ293+58,0001,800
1960Betsy Rawls (4) United StatesWorcester Country ClubWorcester, MA292+47,2001,710
1959Mickey Wright (2) United StatesChurchill Valley Country ClubPittsburgh, PA287−17,2001,800
1958Mickey Wright United StatesForest Lake Country ClubBloomfield, MI290−27,2001,800
1957Betsy Rawls (3) United StatesWinged Foot Golf Club, East CourseMamaroneck, NY299+77,2001,800
1956Kathy Cornelius United StatesNorthland Country ClubDuluth, MN302+11 PO6,0001,500
1955Fay Crocker UruguayWichita Country ClubWichita, KS299+117,5002,000
1954Babe Zaharias (3) United StatesSalem Country ClubPeabody, MA291+37,5002,000
1953Betsy Rawls (2) United StatesCountry Club of RochesterRochester, NY302+10 PO7,5002,000
1952Louise Suggs (2) United StatesBala Golf ClubPhiladelphia, PA284+87,5001,750
1951Betsy Rawls United StatesDruid Hills Golf ClubAtlanta, GA293+57,5001,500
1950Babe Zaharias (2) United StatesRolling Hills Country ClubWichita, KS291−95,0001,250
1949Louise Suggs United StatesPrince George's Golf and Country ClubLandover, MD291−97,5001,500
1948Babe Zaharias United StatesAtlantic City Country ClubNorthfield, NJ300E7,5001,200
1947Betty Jameson United StatesStarmount Forest Country ClubGreensboro, NC295−97,5001,200
1946Patty Berg United StatesSpokane Country ClubSpokane, WA5&419,7005,600

PO - Won in playoff
(a) = Amateur
† = Won 5 and 4 over Betty Jameson in 36-hole match play final

  1. The club is located in a portion of the Duluth postal area that became part of the newly incorporated city of Johns Creek in 2006. Although the club is still served by the Duluth post office, it now lists its mailing address as Johns Creek.

Multiple champions

This table lists the golfers who have won more than one U.S. Women's Open.

Deceased golfer †
Career Grand Slam winners ‡
Golfer Country Total Years
Betsy Rawls  United States 4 1951, 1953, 1957, 1960
Mickey Wright  United States 4 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964
Babe Zaharias  United States 3 1948, 1950, 1954
Susie Berning  United States 3 1968, 1972, 1973
Hollis Stacy  United States 3 1977, 1978, 1984
Annika Sörenstam  Sweden 3 1995, 1996, 2006
Louise Suggs  United States 2 1949, 1952
Donna Caponi  United States 2 1969, 1970
JoAnne Carner  United States 2 1971, 1976
Betsy King  United States 2 1989, 1990
Patty Sheehan  United States 2 1992, 1994
Karrie Webb  Australia 2 2000, 2001
Juli Inkster  United States 2 1999, 2002
Meg Mallon  United States 2 1991, 2004
Inbee Park  South Korea 2 2008, 2013

The defending champion has retained the title on seven occasions, most recently 20 years ago in 2001:

  • 2001 - Karrie Webb
  • 1996 - Annika Sörenstam
  • 1990 - Betsy King
  • 1978 - Hollis Stacy
  • 1973 - Susie Berning
  • 1970 - Donna Caponi
  • 1959 - Mickey Wright

Through 2018, three consecutive championships has not been achieved.

Future sites

YearCourseLocationDates
2021The Olympic Club, Lake CourseSan Francisco, CaliforniaJune 3–6
2022Pine Needles Lodge and Golf ClubSouthern Pines, North CarolinaJune 2–5
2023Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach, CaliforniaJune 1–4
2024Lancaster Country ClubLancaster, PennsylvaniaMay 30 – June 2
2025Erin HillsErin, WisconsinMay 29 – June 1

Source:[14][15][16]

See also

References

  1. "U.S. Women's Open: History". USGA. 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. Nichols, Beth Ann (May 28, 2019). "U.S. Women's Open champion will earn $1 million for the first time". USA Today.
  3. "U.S. Women's Open moved to December; LPGA shuffles schedule". ESPN. April 3, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Women's Open Notebook". PGA Tour. Associated Press. June 26, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  5. "Shoal Creek to Host 2018 U.S. Women's Open". USGA. May 26, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  6. "U.S. Open abandons 18 holes for 2-hole playoff". ESPN. Associated Press. February 26, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  7. "U.S. Women's Open sectional qualifying complete". USGA. June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  8. "2013 Women's Open Fact Sheet". USGA. 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  9. "2010 U.S. Open Qualifying". Archived from the original on June 12, 2009.
  10. "Lucy Li, 11, qualifies for U.S. Open". ESPN. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  11. Dixon, Peter (June 30, 2007). "Thompson proves that youngsters can have fun". The Times. London. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  12. "New Exemption Changes for U.S. Women's and U.S. Amateur" (Press release). USGA. August 5, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  13. "1946-2010 - US Women's Open - history - purses & winners' shares" (PDF). LPGA. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  14. "2020 U.S. Women's Open: Fast Facts". USGA. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  15. "Lancaster Country Club to Host 2024 US Womens Open Championship". LPGA. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  16. Pine, Julia (April 16, 2019). "Erin Hills to Host 2025 Women's Open, 2022 Mid-Amateur". USGA.
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