U.S. Women's Open

U.S. Women's Open
Name	U.S. Women's Open
Established	1946
Course	Varies annually
Par	Varies annually
Tour	LPGA Tour
Format	Stroke play
Purse	$12,000,000 (2024)
Month played	May–July
Current champion	Yuka Saso (2024)

U.S. Women's Open. The premier major championship in women's professional golf, administered by the United States Golf Association. First contested in 1946, it is the oldest continuously running major on the LPGA Tour and is renowned for its demanding course setups and prestigious status. The tournament consistently attracts the strongest international field in the women's game, with champions hailing from across the globe.

History

The inaugural event was held in 1946 at Spokane Country Club in Washington, conceived by the USGA to provide a national championship for women golfers. Early editions were dominated by pioneering American players like Patty Berg and Babe Zaharias, who helped establish its legitimacy. The tournament's history is marked by its evolution in tandem with the growth of the LPGA Tour, which was founded in 1950, and its expansion into a truly global championship. Key moments include its first televised broadcast in the 1960s and the historic 1998 victory by Se Ri Pak, which ignited a surge in participation from South Korea. The championship has been hosted at many of the United States' most revered courses, including Pebble Beach Golf Links, Oakmont Country Club, and Pinehurst Resort.

Format

The competition is a 72-hole stroke play event, with a cut after 36 holes that typically reduces the field to the top 60 players and ties. The USGA is famous for its rigorous course setup, emphasizing narrow fairways, thick rough, and fast, contoured greens to test every facet of a player's game. Qualifying for the tournament is open to any professional or amateur with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4, with spots earned through a series of local and sectional qualifying tournaments held worldwide. Exemptions are granted to past champions, recent winners of other major championships like the AIG Women's Open and The Chevron Championship, and top finishers on the LPGA Tour money list.

Winners

The list of champions includes many of the greatest figures in golf history. Early legends such as Mickey Wright and Betsy Rawls each won four times, a record later matched by Annika Sörenstam. Inbee Park joined this elite group with her victory in 2013. Other multiple winners include Hollis Stacy and Karrie Webb. In recent decades, international players have risen to prominence, with champions from South Korea like Park Sung-hyun and Jeong Jang, from the Philippines like Yuka Saso, and from Sweden like Annika Sörenstam. The youngest winner is Lydia Ko, who triumphed as a teenager, while the oldest is Babe Zaharias.

Records and statistics

The record for lowest 72-hole score is 268, set by Inbee Park at Sebonack Golf Club in 2014. The lowest single-round score is 63, achieved by Helen Alfredsson and later matched by several players including Lydia Ko. Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright share the record for most victories with four. The largest margin of victory is 14 strokes, accomplished by Louise Suggs in 1949. South Korea has produced the most champions from a single nation outside the United States in the 21st century. Notable streaks include Annika Sörenstam's three consecutive top-two finishes in the early 2000s.

Notable tournaments

The 1998 championship at Blackwolf Run was historic, where rookie Se Ri Pak won a 20-hole playoff against Jenny Chuasiriporn, catalyzing a golf boom in Asia. In 2014, Michelle Wie secured her first and only major title at Pinehurst No. 2, a popular victory following years of intense scrutiny. The 2021 event at The Olympic Club saw a playoff victory by Yuka Saso, who tied Inbee Park as the youngest champion. The 2023 tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links, a landmark first for the championship at that iconic venue, was won by Allisen Corpuz. The 2008 playoff at Interlachen Country Club between Inbee Park and Stacy Lewis marked Park's first major win.

Economic and cultural impact

As one of the five major championships, it offers the largest purse on the LPGA Tour, significantly elevating the financial landscape for women's golf. Hosting the championship provides substantial economic benefits to local communities through tourism, hospitality, and media exposure. The tournament's national broadcast coverage on networks like NBC and Golf Channel provides a crucial platform for promoting the women's game. Victories in the championship often define careers and elevate players to global stardom, influencing sponsorship deals and endorsements. It also serves as an inspiration for junior golfers worldwide, with organizations like The First Tee using the event to drive participation.

Category:Golf tournaments in the United States Category:LPGA Tour major championships Category:United States Golf Association Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1946