U.S. Women's Open facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
U.S. Women's Open

Tournament information
Location	Erin, Wisconsin (in 2025)
Established	1946, 79 years ago
Course(s)	Erin Hills (in 2025)
Par	72 (in 2025)
Length	6,829 yd (6,244 m) (in 2025)
Organized by	USGA (since 1953)
Tour(s)	LPGA Tour
Format	Stroke play
Prize fund	$12 million (in 2025)
Month played	May/June
Tournament record score
Aggregate	271 Minjee Lee (2022)
To par	−16 Juli Inkster (1999)
Current champion
Maja Stark
Image:Golf current event.svg 2025 U.S. Women's Open

The U.S. Women's Open is a super important golf tournament for women. It's one of the biggest events in women's golf and is run by the United States Golf Association (USGA). It's also the oldest of the five major championships on the LPGA Tour, which is like the top league for women's professional golf.

This tournament started way back in 1946. For its first few years, different groups managed it, but since 1953, the USGA has been in charge. The U.S. Women's Open usually happens in late May or early June. It's known for having the largest prize money in women's golf. For example, in 2022, the prize money almost doubled to $10 million! In 2025, it was $12 million.

In 2007, more international players than Americans competed for the first time. A year later, in 2008, Inbee Park from South Korea became the youngest winner ever at just 19 years old. Yuka Saso later matched this record in 2021.

Since 2018, the women's tournament is usually held before the men's U.S. Open. This change helps make sure the golf courses are in the best shape for the players.

How Golfers Qualify

To play in the U.S. Women's Open, a female golfer can be a professional or an amateur (someone who plays for fun, not money). If you're an amateur, you need a special golf score called a USGA Handicap Index that's 2.4 or lower. This number shows how good a golfer is.

Golfers can get into the tournament in two ways:

• Being Exempt: This means they automatically get a spot because they've achieved something special, like winning a past U.S. Women's Open or another major tournament.
• Qualifying Rounds: If a golfer isn't exempt, they have to play in special qualifying tournaments. In these, they play 36 holes (two full rounds) in one day to earn a spot.

The rules for who gets an automatic spot have changed over the years. For example, winners of the U.S. Women's Open from the last ten years are usually exempt. Also, top players from other major tours around the world often get a spot.

There's no age limit for playing. The youngest golfers ever to qualify were Lucy Li in 2014 and Lexi Thompson in 2007, both just 11 and 12 years old!

Winners of big amateur tournaments, like the U.S. Girls' Junior or U.S. Women's Amateur, also get a spot in the U.S. Women's Open, as long as they haven't become professional golfers yet.

Past Champions

This table shows who has won the U.S. Women's Open over the years. The number next to some names tells you how many times they've won this tournament.

Year	Champion	Score	To Par	Margin of Victory	Runner(s)-up	Purse ($)	Winner's share ($)	Venue	Location
2025	Maja Stark	281	−7	2 strokes	Nelly Korda Rio Takeda	12,000,000	2,400,000	Erin Hills	Erin, WI
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
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

Golfers with Multiple Wins

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

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

Seven times, a golfer has won the tournament two years in a row! The most recent was Karrie Webb in 2001.

Future Tournament Locations

The U.S. Women's Open is planned to be held at these amazing golf courses in the coming years:

Source:

More About Golf

• Golf in the United States

See also

In Spanish: Abierto de los Estados Unidos Femenino (golf) para niños