U.S. Women's Open

U.S. Women's Open

Tournament information
Location	Lancaster, Pennsylvania (in 2024)
Established	1946, 79 years ago
Course(s)	Lancaster Country Club Meadowcreek/Dogwood Course (in 2024)
Par	70 (in 2024)
Length	6,546 yd (5,986 m) (in 2024)
Organized by	USGA (since 1953)
Tour(s)	LPGA Tour
Format	Stroke play
Prize fund	$12 million (in 2024)
Month played	May/June
Tournament record score
Aggregate	271 Minjee Lee (2022)
To par	–16 Juli Inkster (1999)
Current champion
Yuka Saso
2024 U.S. Women's Open

The U.S. Women's Open, one of 15 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 Chevron Championship, Women's PGA Championship, Women's Open Championship, and The Evian Championship.

Established 79 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] Since 2018, the tournament has normally been held the week after Memorial Day. The U.S. Women's Open is the second major of the LPGA season and has the highest purse in women's golf. The most recent increase, announced in January 2022, saw the purse nearly double from its previous $5.5 million (2019–2021)[2] to $10 million starting in 2022. The 2022 purse increase came about when the nonprofit health care company ProMedica was announced as the tournament's presenting sponsor.[3]

For 2020, it was the final major of the year and be held for the first time over two courses, as it was postponed to December, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that postponed golf tournaments from March through June.[4]

In 2007, international players outnumbered Americans for the first time.[5] The 2008 tournament was won South Korean Inbee Park, who became the event's youngest winner ever at age 19 years, 11 months, 17 days. In 2021, Yuka Saso matched Park as the youngest winner ever.[6]

Since 2018, the U.S. Women's Open has normally been held prior to its men's counterpart rather than following it and the U.S. Senior Open. In announcing this schedule change, the USGA stated that it would "provide optimum playing conditions for the world's best players across a broader variety of the country's finest golf courses."[7]

The playoff format was modified in 2018, reduced from three to two aggregate holes, followed by sudden death.[8] The last 18-hole playoff was in 2006; the three-hole playoff was introduced the following year and used in 2011 and 2016.

The USGA announced on May 29, the men's and women's open winner for 2024 now earns 20% of the total purse; $2.4 million for this year's Women's Open winner.[9] The boost in prize money also came with a change in presenting sponsor, with Ally Financial taking over as headline partner.

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,[10] lowered in 2014 from 4.4 in 2013.[11] 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.[12]

There is no upper or lower age limit. The youngest-ever qualifiers were 11-year-old Lucy Li in 2014,[13] and 12-year-old Lexi Thompson in 2007.[14]

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.[15]

Winners

See also: List of U.S. Women's Open champions

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

Year	Champion	Score	To Par	Margin of Victory	Runner(s)-up	Purse ($)[16]	Winner's share ($)	Venue	Location
2024	Yuka Saso (2)	276	−4	3 strokes	Hinako Shibuno	12,000,000	2,400,000	Lancaster Country Club, Meadowcreek/Dogwood Course	Lancaster, PA
2023	Allisen Corpuz	279	−9	3 strokes	Charley Hull Jiyai Shin	11,000,000	2,000,000	Pebble Beach Golf Links	Pebble Beach, CA
2022	Minjee Lee	271	−13	4 strokes	Mina Harigae	10,000,000	1,800,000	Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club	Southern Pines, NC
2021	Yuka Saso	280	−4	Playoff	Nasa Hataoka	5,500,000	1,000,000	Olympic Club, Lake Course	San Francisco, CA
2020	Kim A-lim	281	−3	1 stroke	Ko Jin-young Amy Olson	5,500,000	1,000,000	Champions Golf Club, Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit Courses	Houston, TX
2019	Lee Jeong-eun	278	−6	2 strokes	Ryu So-yeon Lexi Thompson Angel Yin	5,500,000	1,000,000	Country Club of Charleston	Charleston, SC
2018	Ariya Jutanugarn	277	−11	Playoff	Kim Hyo-joo	5,000,000	900,000	Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club	Shoal Creek, AL
2017	Park Sung-hyun	277	−11	2 strokes	Choi Hye-jin (a)	5,000,000	900,000	Trump National Golf Club	Bedminster, NJ
2016	Brittany Lang	282	−6	Playoff	Anna Nordqvist	4,500,000	810,000	CordeValle Golf Club	San Martin, CA
2015	Chun In-gee	272	−8	1 stroke	Amy Yang	4,500,000	810,000	Lancaster Country Club	Lancaster, PA
2014	Michelle Wie	278	−2	2 strokes	Stacy Lewis	4,000,000	720,000	Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2	Pinehurst, NC
2013	Inbee Park (2)	280	−8	4 strokes	I.K. Kim	3,250,000	585,000	Sebonack Golf Club	Southampton, NY
2012	Na Yeon Choi	281	−7	4 strokes	Amy Yang	3,250,000	585,000	Blackwolf Run, composite course	Kohler, WI
2011	Ryu So-yeon	281	−3	Playoff	Hee Kyung Seo	3,250,000	585,000	Broadmoor Golf Club, East Course	Colorado Springs, CO
2010	Paula Creamer	281	−3	4 strokes	Na Yeon Choi Suzann Pettersen	3,250,000	585,000	Oakmont Country Club	Plum, PA
2009	Ji Eun-hee	284	E	1 stroke	Candie Kung	3,250,000	585,000	Saucon Valley Country Club	Upper Saucon Township, PA
2008	Inbee Park	283	−9	4 strokes	Helen Alfredsson	3,250,000	585,000	Interlachen Country Club	Edina, MN
2007	Cristie Kerr	279	−5	2 strokes	Angela Park Lorena Ochoa	3,100,000	560,000	Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club	Southern Pines, NC
2006	Annika Sörenstam (3)	284	E	Playoff	Pat Hurst	3,100,000	560,000	Newport Country Club	Newport, RI
2005	Birdie Kim	287	+3	2 strokes	Brittany Lang (a) Morgan Pressel (a)	3,100,000	560,000	Cherry Hills Country Club	Cherry Hills Village, CO
2004	Meg Mallon (2)	274	−10	2 strokes	Annika Sörenstam	3,100,000	560,000	The Orchards Golf Club	South Hadley, MA
2003	Hilary Lunke	283	−1	Playoff	Angela Stanford Kelly Robbins	3,100,000	560,000	Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Witch Hollow Course	North Plains, OR
2002	Juli Inkster (2)	276	−4	2 strokes	Annika Sörenstam	3,000,000	535,000	Prairie Dunes Golf Club	Hutchinson, KS
2001	Karrie Webb (2)	273	−7	8 strokes	Pak Se-ri	2,900,000	520,000	Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club	Southern Pines, NC
2000	Karrie Webb	282	−6	5 strokes	Cristie Kerr Meg Mallon	2,750,000	500,000	Merit Club	Libertyville, IL
1999	Juli Inkster	272	−16	5 strokes	Sherri Turner	1,750,000	315,000	Old Waverly Golf Club	West Point, MS
1998	Pak Se-ri	290	+6	Playoff	Jenny Chuasiriporn (a)	1,500,000	267,500	Blackwolf Run, composite course	Kohler, WI
1997	Alison Nicholas	274	−10	1 stroke	Nancy Lopez	1,300,000	232,500	Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Witch Hollow Course	North Plains, OR
1996	Annika Sörenstam (2)	272	−8	6 strokes	Kris Tschetter	1,200,000	212,500	Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club	Southern Pines, NC
1995	Annika Sörenstam	278	−2	1 stroke	Meg Mallon	1,000,000	175,000	Broadmoor Golf Club, East Course	Colorado Springs, CO
1994	Patty Sheehan (2)	277	−7	1 stroke	Tammie Green	850,000	155,000	Indianwood Golf and Country Club, Old Course	Lake Orion, MI
1993	Lauri Merten	280	−8	1 stroke	Helen Alfredsson Donna Andrews	800,000	144,000	Crooked Stick Golf Club	Carmel, IN
1992	Patty Sheehan	280	−4	Playoff	Juli Inkster	700,000	130,000	Oakmont Country Club	Plum, PA
1991	Meg Mallon	283	−1	2 strokes	Pat Bradley	600,000	110,000	Colonial Country Club	Fort Worth, TX
1990	Betsy King (2)	284	−4	1 stroke	Patty Sheehan	500,000	85,000	Atlanta Athletic Club, Riverside Course	Duluth, GA[N 1]
1989	Betsy King	278	−2	4 strokes	Nancy Lopez	450,000	80,000	Indianwood Golf and Country Club, Old Course	Lake Orion, MI
1988	Liselotte Neumann	277	−7	3 strokes	Patty Sheehan	400,000	70,000	Baltimore Country Club, Five Farms, East Course	Baltimore, MD
1987	Laura Davies	285	−3	Playoff	Ayako Okamoto JoAnne Carner	325,000	55,000	Plainfield Country Club	Edison, NJ
1986	Jane Geddes	287	−1	Playoff	Sally Little	300,000	50,000	NCR Country Club	Kettering, OH
1985	Kathy Baker	280	−8	3 strokes	Judy Clark	250,000	41,975	Baltusrol Golf Club, Upper Course	Springfield, NJ
1984	Hollis Stacy (3)	290	+2	1 stroke	Rosie Jones	225,000	36,000	Salem Country Club	Peabody, MA
1983	Jan Stephenson	290	+6	1 stroke	JoAnne Carner Patty Sheehan	200,000	32,780	Cedar Ridge Country Club	Broken Arrow, OK
1982	Janet Alex	283	−5	6 strokes	Beth Daniel Donna White JoAnne Carner Sandra Haynie	175,000	27,315	Del Paso Country Club	Sacramento, CA
1981	Pat Bradley	279	−9	1 stroke	Beth Daniel	150,000	22,000	La Grange Country Club	La Grange, IL
1980	Amy Alcott	280	−4	9 strokes	Hollis Stacy	140,000	20,047	Richland Country Club	Nashville, TN
1979	Jerilyn Britz	284	E	2 strokes	Debbie Massey Sandra Palmer	125,000	19,000	Brooklawn Country Club	Fairfield, CT
1978	Hollis Stacy (2)	289	+5	1 stroke	JoAnne Carner Sally Little	100,000	15,000	Country Club of Indianapolis	Indianapolis, IN
1977	Hollis Stacy	292	+4	2 strokes	Nancy Lopez	75,000	11,040	Hazeltine National Golf Club	Chaska, MN
1976	JoAnne Carner (2)	292	+8	Playoff	Sandra Palmer	60,000	9,054	Rolling Green Golf Club	Springfield, PA
1975	Sandra Palmer	295	+7	4 strokes	JoAnne Carner Sandra Post Nancy Lopez (a)	55,000	8,044	Atlantic City Country Club	Northfield, NJ
1974	Sandra Haynie	295	+7	1 stroke	Beth Stone Carol Mann	40,000	6,073	La Grange Country Club	La Grange, IL
1973	Susie Berning (3)	290	+2	5 strokes	Gloria Ehret Shelley Hamlin	40,000	6,000	Country Club of Rochester	Rochester, NY
1972	Susie Berning (2)	299	+11	1 stroke	Kathy Ahern Pam Barnett Judy Rankin	40,000	6,000	Winged Foot Golf Club, East Course	Mamaroneck, NY
1971	JoAnne Carner	288	E	7 strokes	Kathy Whitworth	31,000	5,000	Kahkwa Club	Erie, PA
1970	Donna Caponi (2)	287	+3	1 stroke	Sandra Haynie Sandra Spuzich	20,000	4,000	Muskogee Golf Club	Muskogee, OK
1969	Donna Caponi	294	+2	1 stroke	Peggy Wilson	31,040	5,000	Scenic Hills Country Club	Pensacola, FL
1968	Susie Berning	289	+5	3 strokes	Mickey Wright	25,000	5,000	Moselem Springs Golf Club	Fleetwood, PA
1967	Catherine Lacoste (a)	294	+6	2 strokes	Susie Maxwell Beth Stone	25,000	0	The Homestead	Hot Springs, VA
1966	Sandra Spuzich	297	+9	1 stroke	Carol Mann	20,000	4,000	Hazeltine National Golf Club	Chaska, MN
1965	Carol Mann	290	+2	2 strokes	Kathy Cornelius	17,780	3,800	Atlantic City Country Club	Northfield, NJ
1964	Mickey Wright (4)	290	−2	Playoff	Ruth Jessen	9,900	2,090	San Diego Country Club	Chula Vista, CA
1963	Mary Mills	289	−3	3 strokes	Louise Suggs Sandra Haynie	9,000	1,900	Kenwood Country Club	Cincinnati, OH
1962	Murle Lindstrom	301	+13	2 strokes	Ruth Jessen Jo Ann Prentice	8,000	1,800	Dunes Golf and Beach Club	Myrtle Beach, SC
1961	Mickey Wright (3)	293	+5	6 strokes	Betsy Rawls	8,000	1,800	Baltusrol Golf Club, Lower Course	Springfield, NJ
1960	Betsy Rawls (4)	292	+4	1 stroke	Joyce Ziske	7,200	1,710	Worcester Country Club	Worcester, MA
1959	Mickey Wright (2)	287	+7	2 strokes	Louise Suggs	7,200	1,800	Churchill Valley Country Club	Pittsburgh, PA
1958	Mickey Wright	290	−2	5 strokes	Louise Suggs	7,200	1,800	Forest Lake Country Club	Bloomfield Hills, MI
1957	Betsy Rawls (3)	299	+7	6 strokes	Patty Berg	7,200	1,800	Winged Foot Golf Club, East Course	Mamaroneck, NY
1956	Kathy Cornelius	302	+7	Playoff	Barbara McIntire (a)	6,000	1,500	Northland Country Club	Duluth, MN
1955	Fay Crocker	299	+11	4 strokes	Mary Lena Faulk Louise Suggs	7,500	2,000	Wichita Country Club	Wichita, KS
1954	Babe Zaharias (3)	291	+3	12 strokes	Betty Hicks	7,500	2,000	Salem Country Club	Peabody, MA
1953	Betsy Rawls (2)	302	+6	Playoff	Jackie Pung	7,500	2,000	Country Club of Rochester	Rochester, NY
1952	Louise Suggs (2)	284	+8	7 strokes	Marlene Bauer Betty Jameson	7,500	1,750	Bala Golf Club	Philadelphia, PA
1951	Betsy Rawls	293	+5	5 strokes	Louise Suggs	7,500	1,500	Druid Hills Golf Club	Atlanta, GA
1950	Babe Zaharias (2)	291	−9	9 strokes	Betsy Rawls (a)	5,000	1,250	Rolling Hills Country Club	Wichita, KS
1949	Louise Suggs	291	−9	14 strokes	Babe Zaharias	7,500	1,500	Prince George's Golf and Country Club	Landover, MD
1948	Babe Zaharias	300	E	8 strokes	Betty Hicks	7,500	1,200	Atlantic City Country Club	Northfield, NJ
1947	Betty Jameson	295	−9	6 strokes	Polly Riley (a) Sally Sessions (a)	7,500	1,200	Starmount Forest Country Club	Greensboro, NC
1946	Patty Berg †	5 & 4			Betty Jameson	19,700	5,600	Spokane Country Club	Spokane, WA

(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.

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
Yuka Saso	Japan	2	2021, 2024

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

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

Future sites

Year	Edition	Course	Location	Dates	Previous championships hosted
2025	80th	Erin Hills	Erin, Wisconsin	May 29 – June 1
2026	81st	Riviera Country Club	Pacific Palisades, California	June 4–7
2027	82nd	Inverness Club	Toledo, Ohio	TBD
2028	83rd	Oakmont Country Club	Plum, Pennsylvania	TBD	1992, 2010
2029	84th	Pinehurst No. 2	Pinehurst, North Carolina	TBD	2014
2030	85th	Interlachen Country Club	Edina, Minnesota	TBD	2008
2031	86th	Oakland Hills Country Club	Bloomfield Township, Michigan	TBD
2032	87th	Los Angeles Country Club	Los Angeles, California	TBD
2033	88th	Chicago Golf Club	Wheaton, Illinois	TBD
2034	89th	Merion Golf Club	Haverford, Pennsylvania	TBD
2035	90th	Pebble Beach Golf Links	Pebble Beach, California	TBD	2023
2036	91th	Shinnecock Hills Golf Club	Shinnecock Hills, New York	TBD

• Oakmont Country Club is also slated to host in 2038.
• Pebble Beach Golf Links is also slated to host in 2040 and 2048.
• Oakland Hills Country Club is also slated to host in 2042.
• The Country Club (Brookline) is slated to host in 2045.
• Merion Country Club is also slated to host in 2046.

Source:[17] [18]

See also

• Golf in the United States

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. Azzi, Alex (January 7, 2022). "U.S. Women's Open doubles purse with new presenting sponsor". On Her Turf. NBC Sports. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
4. "U.S. Women's Open moved to December; LPGA shuffles schedule". ESPN. April 3, 2020.
5. "U.S. Women's Open Notebook". PGA Tour. Associated Press. June 26, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
6. "Yuka Saso birdies third playoff hole, becomes second teen to win U.S. Women's Open". ESPN. Associated Press. June 6, 2021.
7. "Shoal Creek to Host 2018 U.S. Women's Open". USGA. May 26, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
8. "U.S. Open abandons 18 holes for 2-hole playoff". ESPN. Associated Press. February 26, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
9. Herrington, Ryan (May 29, 2024). "The USGA is making a quirky change to the prize money payouts for its winners in 2024". Golf Digest.
10. "U.S. Women's Open sectional qualifying complete". USGA. June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
11. "2013 Women's Open Fact Sheet". USGA. 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
12. "2010 U.S. Open Qualifying". Archived from the original on June 12, 2009.
13. "Lucy Li, 11, qualifies for U.S. Open". ESPN. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
14. Dixon, Peter (June 30, 2007). "Thompson proves that youngsters can have fun". The Times. London. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
15. "New Exemption Changes for U.S. Women's and U.S. Amateur" (Press release). USGA. August 5, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
16. "1946-2010 - US Women's Open - history - purses & winners' shares" (PDF). LPGA. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
17. Pine, Julia. "LACC to Host 2032 Women's Open, 2039 U.S. Open". USGA. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
18. Pine, Julia. "Chicago G.C. to Host 2033 Women's Open, 2036 Walker Cup". USGA. Retrieved November 1, 2022.

External links

• Official website
• United States Golf Association website