The 80th U.S. Women`s Open, featuring professional golf`s oldest major championship title and its largest prize fund, is set to commence this Thursday at Erin Hills Club in Erin, Wisconsin.
This marks the first time Erin Hills is hosting the Women`s U.S. Open. The course, renowned for its rolling fairways and greens shaped by ancient glaciers, is anticipated to be one of the most demanding challenges of the year for elite golfers.
“It puts every aspect of your game to the test,” commented two-time major champion Nelly Korda on Tuesday. “It`s quite challenging. It`s firm and fast. Even when you believe you`ve struck the ball well, you can only truly relax once you see it come to rest. I`d even say the weather significantly impacts shots and putts here.”
Here are some of the principal storylines surrounding the season`s second major tournament:
Can Nelly Find Her Form?
Similar to how World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler took a few months to find his stride before securing two PGA Tour victories, including his third major at the PGA Championship, World No. 1 Nelly Korda has experienced a comparable season on the LPGA Tour. Last year, Korda had already claimed six wins before the second major event.
In contrast, she has yet to win in her seven starts this year.
“Yes, this year has been quite noteworthy for me,” Korda stated on Tuesday. “It`s definitely contained a mix of good and less good moments. Sort of a blend in every event I`ve competed in. I`d say the key lesson has been patience, returning home, really concentrating, and practicing diligently.”
It`s not that Korda has performed poorly this season. She has finished in the top 25 in all but one event, including a runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and tying for fifth in her most recent start at the Mizuho Americas Open.
Korda ranks second on the LPGA Tour in overall strokes gained (2.40) and off the tee (1.03), and ninth from tee to green (1.59). She also features in the top 25 for approach shots (0.65) and putting (0.86).
She seeks a better outcome at the U.S. Open. In her last five appearances, she has missed the cut three times, finished tied for eighth once, and tied for 64th once. Last year at Lancaster Country Club, Korda scored a 10 on the par-3 12th hole early in her first round, carding an opening 80.
Despite bouncing back with an even-par 70 in the second round, she still missed the cut.
“Oh, yes, many ups and downs,” Korda commented. “Ultimately, it`s the game of golf`s ultimate test. It has certainly challenged me significantly. I appreciate it and am looking forward to what this week will bring.”
Korda is grouped with England`s Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson for the first two rounds.
“Ultimately, this is precisely why we do what we do – to play these courses under these conditions, to scrutinize every facet of our game,” Korda remarked. “It`s not just about our technical skills, but our mental fortitude too. I find it enjoyable, and I`m enthusiastic about discovering how this week unfolds.”
Ko Pursues Career Grand Slam
Lydia Ko has the opportunity to become only the eighth golfer in LPGA history to achieve the career Grand Slam should she win the U.S. Women`s Open on her 14th attempt. She has previously recorded two top-10 finishes in the event and missed the cut for the first time last year.
At just 27 years old, Ko has already secured three major championship titles: the 2015 Evian Championship, the 2016 Chevron Championship, and the 2024 Women`s British Open.
Ko is paired with the reigning U.S. Women`s Open champion Yuka Saso and amateur Rianne Malixi for the initial two rounds.
“I believe that as long as I`m actively playing, it`s beneficial to have a goal. This way, when I`m working on improving, I`m always moving forward rather than thinking, `Oh, I`ve already done this, so why bother?`” Ko explained. “It`s mainly just to maintain my motivation. Hopefully not, but even if I never win a U.S. Women`s Open, I don`t anticipate waking up one morning regretting, `I never won.`”
Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam, and Inbee Park are the golfers who have won four distinct majors during their careers. Webb is the sole player to complete the rare “super career Grand Slam” by winning different majors.
Sweden`s Anna Nordqvist, winner of the 2009 Women`s PGA Championship, 2017 Evian Championship, and 2021 Women`s British Open, also has the chance to complete her career Grand Slam this week.
Saso Aims for Third Title
Yuka Saso will endeavor to become only the seventh golfer to win the national championship three times.
Betsy Rawls (1951, 1953, 1957, 1960) and Wright (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964) have won the U.S. Women`s Open four times, while Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1948, 1950, 1954), Susie Maxwell Berning (1968, 1972, 1973), Hollis Stacy (1977, 1978, 1984), and Sorenstam (1995, 1996, 2006) have each won three titles.
“I can now refer to myself as a two-time major champion, and more specifically, a two-time U.S. Women`s Open champion,” Saso said regarding her victory last year. “I believe it`s a wonderful tournament title to have associated with my name, and perhaps because winning this was my dream, winning it twice feels even better.”
Saso is already the only golfer to claim the Harton S. Semple Trophy while representing two different nations. When she defeated Nasa Hataoka in a playoff at the 2021 U.S. Women`s Open at the Olympic Club, she was representing the Philippines, her birthplace.
Last year, Saso competed for Japan, her father`s native country, when she defeated Hinako Shibuno by three strokes, finishing with a 72-hole score of 4-under 276.
Saso held dual citizenship before relinquishing her Filipino citizenship in 2022, as required by Japanese nationality law before her 22nd birthday.
Erin Hills: A Demanding Course
Erin Hills Golf Course, situated approximately 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee, is a par-72 course stretching 6,829 yards. This makes it the second-longest course featured on the LPGA Tour schedule so far this season.
Erin Hills previously hosted the 2017 U.S. Open, which Brooks Koepka won with a score of 16-under 272 over 72 holes.
The course is not expected to play as easily this week for the women, particularly if wind becomes a factor. The forecast includes a possibility of thunderstorms and winds of 10 to 20 mph on Friday, with sunny skies and lighter winds (5 to 10 mph) anticipated for the weekend.
“It`s certainly a very extensive course,” noted 2023 U.S. Women`s Open champion Allisen Corpuz. “During Monday`s practice round, I hit significantly more hybrids and woods into the greens than I would have preferred. I think in any major, precise ball-striking is always crucial. Especially with the complex green designs here and numerous run-off areas, along with some narrow fairways, that will definitely be key here.”
Although Erin Hills lacks water hazards, it features 132 sand bunkers and challenging 3½-inch fescue rough, which will complicate play.
“It`s very demanding off the tee due to all the bunkers,” Korda stated. “The bunkers are difficult; sometimes you can`t even find a stable stance because they are so small. Then there are the approach shots to the greens and the greens themselves. It`s a comprehensive test of your entire game.”
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has alternative tees available to adjust for conditions like lack of wind or wetness.
“We also closely monitor firmness, speed, wet conditions, and very windy conditions,” said Shannon Rouillard, USGA`s senior director of championships. “It is truly essential that the test remains pertinent and suitable given the conditions we might encounter, whether they are wet or if we experience stronger winds.”
